Surgical staple cartridge staple drivers with central support features

ABSTRACT

A surgical staple driver. A driver body is configured to be slidably supported in a surgical staple cartridge. The driver body comprises at least two staple support members. Each staple support member is configured to operably support a corresponding staple thereon. The driver body further comprises a first camming surface and a second camming surface that is spaced from the second camming surface. The driver body further comprises at least one aperture that is configured to slidably receive therein a corresponding driver guide formed in the staple cartridge.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousembodiments, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staplecartridges for use therewith.

A stapling instrument can include a pair of cooperating elongate jawmembers, wherein each jaw member can be adapted to be inserted into apatient and positioned relative to tissue that is to be stapled and/orincised. In various embodiments, one of the jaw members can support astaple cartridge with at least two laterally spaced rows of staplescontained therein, and the other jaw member can support an anvil withstaple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the staplecartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument can further include apusher bar and a knife blade which are slidable relative to the jawmembers to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cartridge viacamming surfaces on the pusher bar and/or camming surfaces on a wedgesled that is pushed by the pusher bar. In at least one embodiment, thecamming surfaces can be configured to activate a plurality of stapledrivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the staples inorder to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spacedrows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members.In at least one embodiment, the knife blade can trail the cammingsurfaces and cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspectsof the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and shouldnot be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together withadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument and an elongateshaft assembly embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the handle or housing portion ofthe surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of an elongate shaftassembly;

FIG. 4 is another exploded assembly view of another portion of theelongate shaft assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical end effectorembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of the surgical end effector of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a surgical staple cartridge embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the surgical staple cartridge embodiment ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 depicts the staple pattern deployed by the cartridge of FIGS. 7and 8;

FIG. 10 depicts the staple pattern of FIG. 9 in a stretched condition;

FIG. 11 depicts a previous staple pattern implanted in tissue;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a staple driver embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the staple driver embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the staple driver of FIGS. 12and 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a surgical staplecartridge embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a top view of corresponding driver arrays employed in thesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is another top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 16supported in corresponding portions of a staple cartridge embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a top view of portions of the driver arrays of FIGS. 16 and17 in connection with a sled or camming actuator of a surgicalinstrument;

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the driver array and sled/camactuator depicted in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 21 is another top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a distal driver of the driver array illustratedin FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the distal driver of FIG. 22 supportinga staple thereon;

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the distal driver of FIGS. 22and 23;

FIG. 25 is a top view of a proximal driver of the driver array depictedin FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the proximal driver of FIG. 25supporting a staple thereon;

FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the proximal driver of FIGS. 25and 26;

FIG. 28 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 29 is a top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a top view of one of the drivers of the driver array of FIG.29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 30 supporting fourstaples thereon;

FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 30 and 31;

FIG. 33 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 34 is a top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a top view of a proximal driver of the driver array of FIG.34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 35 supporting threestaples thereon;

FIG. 37 is a bottom perspective view of driver of FIGS. 35 and 36;

FIG. 38 is a top view of a distal driver of the driver array of FIG. 34;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 38 supporting twostaples thereon;

FIG. 40 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 38 and 39;

FIG. 41 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 42 is a top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a top view of a distal driver of the driver array of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 43 supporting threestaples thereon;

FIG. 45 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 43 and 44;

FIG. 46 is a top view of a proximal staple driver of the driver array ofFIG. 42;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view the driver of FIG. 46 supporting twostaples thereon;

FIG. 48 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 46 and 47;

FIG. 49 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 50 is a top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 49;

FIG. 50A is an enlarged view of a portion of the driver array of FIG.50;

FIG. 50B is an enlarged view of another portion of the driver array ofFIG. 50;

FIG. 51 is a top view of one of the drivers of the driver array depictedin FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 51 supporting atotal of five staples thereon;

FIG. 53 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 51 and 52;

FIG. 54 is a top view of another driver of the driver array of FIG. 50;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 54 supporting fourstaples thereon;

FIG. 56 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 58 is a top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a top view of a distal driver of the driver array depicted inFIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the distal driver of FIG. 59 supportingtwo staples thereon;

FIG. 61 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 59 and 60;

FIG. 62 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 63 is a top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 62 inconnection with a portion of a surgical staple cartridge;

FIG. 64 is a top view of one of the drivers of the driver arrays ofFIGS. 62 and 63;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 64 supporting astaple thereon;

FIG. 66 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIGS. 64 and 65;

FIG. 67 is a top view of corresponding portions of other driver arrayembodiments;

FIG. 68 is an enlarged top view of one of the driver arrays of FIG. 67;

FIG. 69 is a top view of first, second and third staple driverembodiments of the staple driver arrays of FIGS. 67 and 68;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of one of the staple drivers of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 is a bottom perspective view of the driver of FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a surgical staple cartridge thatemploys the staple driver arrays of FIGS. 67 and 68;

FIG. 73 is a partial bottom perspective view of the surgical staplecartridge of FIG. 72;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of a portion of another surgical staplecartridge embodiment; and

FIG. 75 is a view of three formed surgical staples that were formedusing the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 74.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH IMPROVED STAPLE DRIVER CONFIGURATIONS, Attorney DocketNo. END7690USNP/150113;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE DRIVERARRAYS, Attorney Docket No. END7691USNP/150114;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECONFIGURATIONS WITH CAMMING SURFACES LOCATED BETWEEN PORTIONS SUPPORTINGSURGICAL STAPLES, Attorney Docket No. END7693USNP/150116; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR ESTABLISHING HERRINGBONE STAPLEPATTERNS, Attorney Docket No. END7694USNP/150117.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 6, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795, entitled MULTIPLE LEVELTHRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE TISSUECOMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUETYPES; Attorney Docket No. END7557USNP/140482;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, entitled OVERLAID MULTISENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUECOMPRESSION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831, entitled MONITORING SPEEDCONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859, entitled TIME DEPENDENTEVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, ANDVISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled INTERACTIVEFEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844, entitled CONTROL TECHNIQUESAND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROLPROCESSING FROM HANDLE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITHLOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765, entitled SYSTEM FORDETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICALSTAPLER;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWERCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUSCONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICALAPPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICAL CHARGINGSYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEMTHAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555, entitled SYSTEM FORMONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERYFOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FORA SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT HANDLE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLINGASSEMBLY; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUSCONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANSFOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTSFOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKINGARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICALEND EFFECTORS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETENON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAMSUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAMSUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWEREDARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246472;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCHARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0249557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICALSURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246474;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSORMOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246478;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCHASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0246477;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSORSTRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246479;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246473; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0246476.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263542;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROLARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263537;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLESHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263564;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263541;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSORARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263538;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTIONMOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2014/0263554;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMLOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263565;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATIONCONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263553;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAINCONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263543; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEMFOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0277017.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplication that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263539.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTCONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATIONVERIFICATION CIRCUIT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OFNUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACKALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMSFOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT SYSTEM; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY ANDSENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITHINTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICEDEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORSWITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled USE OF POLARITY OFHALL MAGNET DETECTION TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGEWAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTORCONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OFTISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVENSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0305987;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROMTHE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0305989;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THESURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0305988;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED LINEARSURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0309666;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled TRANSMISSIONARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0305991;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTORDRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARYDRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0305994;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICALSTAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309665;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMDECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0305990; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTORDRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305992.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,376, entitled LINEARCUTTER WITH POWER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382, entitled LINEARCUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTORCONTROL; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, andelements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. The reader will understandthat the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingexamples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein may be representative andillustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgicalsystem, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those oneor more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one ormore features.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician andthe term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician.It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity,spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may beused herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instrumentsare used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are notintended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, thereader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devicesdisclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures andapplications including, for example, in connection with open surgicalprocedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the readerwill further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed hereincan be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a naturalorifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. Theworking portions or end effector portions of the instruments can beinserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through anaccess device that has a working channel through which the end effectorand elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effectorextending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staplecartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is notremovable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. Thesecond jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected fromthe staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the firstjaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned inwhich first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgicalstapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured topermit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated, relative to theshaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axisextending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments areenvisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge bodyincludes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between theproximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge ispositioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward thestaple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck.Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can bedeployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavitiesdefined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows.Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of alongitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on asecond side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staplecavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. Thedrivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second,or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Thedrivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient membersconfigured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to thecartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positionsand their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between aproximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal positionadjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of rampedsurfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, andthe staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. Thefiring member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towardthe distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body isconfigured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slotconfigured to receive the firing member. The firing member furthercomprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam whichengages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, thefirst cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap,between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firingmember also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for theknife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the rampedsurfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

A surgical fastening instrument 10 is depicted in FIG. 1. The surgicalfastening instrument 100 is configured to deploy an “elastic” or“expandable” staple line. Various elastic staple lines are disclosedherein and the surgical fastening instrument 10 is capable of deployingany one of these elastic staple lines. Moreover, surgical instrumentsother than the surgical fastening instrument 100 are capable ofdeploying any one of the expandable staple lines disclosed herein.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-4, the surgical fastening instrument 10includes a housing 12 that comprises a handle 14 that is configured tobe grasped, manipulated and actuated by the clinician. The housing 12 isconfigured for operable attachment to an elongate shaft assembly 200that has a surgical end effector 700 operably coupled thereto that isconfigured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures. Theelongate shaft assembly 200 may be interchangeable with other shaftassemblies in the various manners disclosed, for example, in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In other arrangements,the elongate shaft assembly may not be interchangeable with other shaftassemblies and essentially comprise a dedicated non-removable portion ofthe instrument. It will be further understood that the various forms ofshaft assemblies and end effectors disclosed herein may also beeffectively employed in connection with robotically-controlled surgicalsystems. Thus, the term “housing” may also encompass a housing orsimilar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operablysupports at least one drive system that is configured to generate andapply at least one control motion which could be used to actuate theelongate shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respectiveequivalents. The term “frame” may refer to a portion of a handheldsurgical instrument. The term “frame” may also represent a portion of arobotically controlled surgical instrument and/or a portion of therobotic system that may be used to operably control a surgicalinstrument. For example, the shaft assemblies and end effectorarrangements disclosed herein may be employed with various roboticsystems, instruments, components and methods disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTSWITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,072,535, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

FIG. 1 illustrates the housing 12 or handle 14 of the surgicalinstrument 10 with an interchangeable elongate shaft assembly 200operably coupled thereto. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the handle 14 maycomprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments 16 and 18that may be interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. Inthe illustrated arrangement, the handle housing segments 16, 18cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 19 that can be gripped andmanipulated by the clinician. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, the handle 14 operably supports a plurality of drive systemstherein that are configured to generate and apply various controlmotions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assemblythat is operably attached thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the handle 14 may further include a frame 20that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, theframe 20 can operably support a “first” or closure drive system,generally designated as 30, which may be employed to apply closing andopening motions to the elongate shaft assembly 200 that is operablyattached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closure drivesystem 30 may include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger 32that is pivotally supported by the frame 20. More specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the closure trigger 32 is pivotally coupled tothe housing 14 by a pin 33. Such arrangement enables the closure trigger32 to be manipulated by a clinician such that when the clinician gripsthe pistol grip portion 19 of the handle 14, the closure trigger 32 maybe easily pivoted from a starting or “unactuated” position to an“actuated” position and more particularly to a fully compressed or fullyactuated position. The closure trigger 32 may be biased into theunactuated position by spring or other biasing arrangement (not shown).In various forms, the closure drive system 30 further includes a closurelinkage assembly 34 that is pivotally coupled to the closure trigger 32.As can be seen in FIG. 2, the closure linkage assembly 34 may include afirst closure link 36 and a second closure link 38 that are pivotallycoupled to the closure trigger 32 by a pin 35. The second closure link38 may also be referred to herein as an “attachment member” and includea transverse attachment pin 37.

Still referring to FIG. 2, it can be observed that the first closurelink 36 may have a locking wall or end 39 thereon that is configured tocooperate with a closure release assembly 60 that is pivotally coupledto the frame 20. In at least one form, the closure release assembly 60may comprise a release button assembly 62 that has a distally protrudinglocking pawl 64 formed thereon. The release button assembly 62 may bepivoted in a counterclockwise direction by a release spring (not shown).As the clinician depresses the closure trigger 32 from its unactuatedposition towards the pistol grip portion 19 of the handle 14, the firstclosure link 36 pivots upward to a point wherein the locking pawl 64drops into retaining engagement with the locking wall 39 on the firstclosure link 36 thereby preventing the closure trigger 32 from returningto the unactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly 60 servesto lock the closure trigger 32 in the fully actuated position. When theclinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 32 to permit it to bebiased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots theclosure release button assembly 62 such that the locking pawl 64 ismoved out of engagement with the locking wall 39 on the first closurelink 36. When the locking pawl 64 has been moved out of engagement withthe first closure link 36, the closure trigger 32 may pivot back to theunactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and releasearrangements may also be employed.

When the closure trigger 32 is moved from its unactuated position to itsactuated position, the closure release button 62 is pivoted between afirst position and a second position. The rotation of the closurerelease button 62 can be referred to as being an upward rotation;however, at least a portion of the closure release button 62 is beingrotated toward the circuit board 100. Still referring to FIG. 2, theclosure release button 62 can include an arm 61 extending therefrom anda magnetic element 63, such as a permanent magnet, for example, mountedto the arm 61. When the closure release button 62 is rotated from itsfirst position to its second position, the magnetic element 63 can movetoward the circuit board 100. The circuit board 100 can include at leastone sensor that is configured to detect the movement of the magneticelement 63. In at least one embodiment, a “Hall effect” sensor can bemounted to the bottom surface of the circuit board 100. The Hall effectsensor can be configured to detect changes in a magnetic fieldsurrounding the Hall effect sensor that are caused by the movement ofthe magnetic element 63. The Hall effect sensor can be in signalcommunication with a microcontroller, for example, which can determinewhether the closure release button 62 is in its first position, which isassociated with the unactuated position of the closure trigger 32 andthe open configuration of the end effector, its second position, whichis associated with the actuated position of the closure trigger 32 andthe closed configuration of the end effector, and/or any positionbetween the first position and the second position.

Also in the illustrated arrangement, the handle 14 and the frame 20operably support another drive system referred to herein as a firingdrive system 80 that is configured to apply firing motions tocorresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attachedthereto. The firing drive system may 80 also be referred to herein as a“second drive system”. The firing drive system 80 may employ an electricmotor 82, located in the pistol grip portion 19 of the handle 14. Invarious forms, the motor 82 may be a DC brushed driving motor having amaximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In otherarrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor,a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electricmotor. The motor 82 may be powered by a power source 90 that in one formmay comprise a removable power pack 92. As can be seen in FIG. 2, forexample, the power pack 92 may comprise a proximal housing portion 94that is configured for attachment to a distal housing portion 96. Theproximal housing portion 94 and the distal housing portion 96 areconfigured to operably support a plurality of batteries 98 therein.Batteries 98 may each comprise, for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) orother suitable battery. The distal housing portion 96 is configured forremovable operable attachment to a control circuit board assembly 100which is also operably coupled to the motor 82. A number of batteries 98may be connected in series may be used as the power source for thesurgical instrument 10. In addition, the power source 90 may bereplaceable and/or rechargeable.

As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electricmotor 82 includes a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operably interfaceswith a gear reducer assembly 84 that is mounted in meshing engagementwith a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 122 on alongitudinally-movable drive member 120. In use, a voltage polarityprovided by the power source 90 can operate the electric motor 82 in aclockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electricmotor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electricmotor 82 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor 82 isrotated in one direction, the drive member 120 will be axially driven inthe distal direction “DD”. When the motor 82 is driven in the oppositerotary direction, the drive member 120 will be axially driven in aproximal direction “PD”. The handle 14 can include a switch which can beconfigured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor 82 bythe power source 90. As with the other forms described herein, thehandle 14 can also include a sensor that is configured to detect theposition of the drive member 120 and/or the direction in which the drivemember 120 is being moved.

Actuation of the motor 82 is controlled by a firing trigger 130 that ispivotally supported on the handle 14. The firing trigger 130 may bepivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position. Thefiring trigger 130 may be biased into the unactuated position by aspring 132 or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinicianreleases the firing trigger 130, it may be pivoted or otherwise returnedto the unactuated position by the spring 132 or biasing arrangement. Inat least one form, the firing trigger 130 can be positioned “outboard”of the closure trigger 32 as was discussed above. In at least one form,a firing trigger safety button 134 may be pivotally mounted to theclosure trigger 32 by pin 35. The safety button 134 may be positionedbetween the firing trigger 130 and the closure trigger 32 and have apivot arm 136 protruding therefrom. See FIG. 2. When the closure trigger32 is in the unactuated position, the safety button 134 is contained inthe handle 14 where the clinician cannot readily access it and move itbetween a safety position preventing actuation of the firing trigger 130and a firing position wherein the firing trigger 130 may be fired. Asthe clinician depresses the closure trigger 32, the safety button 134and the firing trigger 130 pivot down wherein they can then bemanipulated by the clinician.

As discussed above, the handle 14 includes a closure trigger 32 and afiring trigger 130. The firing trigger 130 can be pivotably mounted tothe closure trigger 32. When the closure trigger 32 is moved from itsunactuated position to its actuated position, the firing trigger 130 candescend downwardly, as outlined above. After the safety button 134 hasbeen moved to its firing position, the firing trigger 130 can bedepressed to operate the motor of the surgical instrument firing system.In various instances, the handle 14 can include a tracking systemconfigured to determine the position of the closure trigger 32 and/orthe position of the firing trigger 130.

As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movabledrive member 120 has a rack of drive teeth 122 formed thereon formeshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear 86 of the gearreducer assembly 84. At least one form also includes amanually-actuatable “bailout” assembly 140 that is configured to enablethe clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drivemember 120 should the motor 82 become disabled. The bailout assembly 140may include a lever or bailout handle assembly 142 that is configured tobe manually pivoted into ratcheting engagement with teeth 124 alsoprovided in the drive member 120. Thus, the clinician can manuallyretract the drive member 120 by using the bailout handle assembly 142 toratchet the drive member 120 in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. Pat.No. 8,608,045, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUSWITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, discloses bailout arrangementsand other components, arrangements and systems that may also be employedwith the various instruments disclosed herein, is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the elongate shaft assembly 200 includes asurgical end effector 700 that comprises an elongate channel 702 that isconfigured to operably support a staple cartridge 800 therein. The endeffector 700 may further include an anvil 710 that is pivotallysupported relative to the elongate channel 702. As will be discussed infurther detail below, the surgical end effector 700 may be articulatedrelative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation joint 270.Various embodiments are also envisioned wherein the end effector is notarticulatable. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft assembly 200can further include a proximal housing or nozzle 201 comprised of nozzleportions 202 and 203. The shaft assembly 200 further includes a closuretube 260 which can be utilized to close and/or open an anvil 310 of theend effector 700. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the shaft assembly 200includes a spine 210 which can be configured to fixably support a shaftframe portion 212 of and articulation lock 350. Details regarding theconstruction and operation of the articulation lock 350 are set forth inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263541, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The spine 210is configured to, one, slidably support a firing member 220 therein and,two, slidably support the closure tube 260 which extends around thespine 210. The spine 210 also slidably supports a proximal articulationdriver 230. The proximal articulation driver 230 has a distal end 301that is configured to operably engage the articulation lock 350. In onearrangement, the articulation lock 350 interfaces with an articulationframe 352 that is adapted to operably engage a drive pin (not shown) onthe end effector frame (not shown).

In the illustrated arrangement, the spine 210 comprises a proximal end211 which is rotatably supported in a chassis 240. In one arrangement,for example, the proximal end 211 of the spine 210 has a thread 214formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing 216 configuredto be supported within the chassis 240. See FIG. 3. Such arrangementfacilitates rotatable attachment of the spine 210 to the chassis 240such that the spine 210 may be selectively rotated about a shaft axisSA-SA relative to the chassis 240. The shaft assembly 200 also includesa closure shuttle 250 that is slidably supported within the chassis 240such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. As can be seen inFIG. 3, the closure shuttle 250 includes a pair of proximally-protrudinghooks 252 that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin 37that is attached to the second closure link 38 as will be discussed infurther detail below. See FIG. 2. A proximal end 261 of the closure tube260 is coupled to the closure shuttle 250 for relative rotation thereto.For example, a U-shaped connector 263 is inserted into an annular slot262 in the proximal end 261 of the closure tube 260 and is retainedwithin vertical slots 253 in the closure shuttle 250. See FIG. 3. Sucharrangement serves to attach the closure tube 260 to the closure shuttle250 for axial travel therewith while enabling the closure tube 260 torotate relative to the closure shuttle 250 about the shaft axis SA-SA. Aclosure spring 268 is journaled on the closure tube 260 and serves tobias the closure tube 260 in the proximal direction “PD” which can serveto pivot the closure trigger into the unactuated position when the shaftassembly 200 is operably coupled to the handle 14.

As was also indicated above, the elongate shaft assembly 200 furtherincludes a firing member 220 that is supported for axial travel withinthe shaft spine 210. The firing member 220 includes an intermediatefiring shaft portion 222 that is configured for attachment to a distalcutting portion or firing beam 280. The firing member 220 may also bereferred to herein as a “second shaft” and/or a “second shaft assembly”.As can be seen in FIG. 4, the intermediate firing shaft portion 222 mayinclude a longitudinal slot 223 in the distal end thereof which can beconfigured to receive a tab 284 on the proximal end 282 of the distalfiring beam 280. The longitudinal slot 223 and the proximal end 282 canbe sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and cancomprise a slip joint 286. The slip joint 286 can permit theintermediate firing shaft portion 222 of the firing drive 220 to bemoved to articulate the surgical end effector 700 without moving, or atleast substantially moving, the firing beam 280. Once the surgical endeffector 700 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaftportion 222 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of thelongitudinal slot 223 comes into contact with the tab 284 in order toadvance the firing beam 280 and fire a staple cartridge that may besupported in the end effector 700. As can be further seen in FIG. 4, theshaft spine 210 has an elongate opening or window 213 therein tofacilitate assembly and insertion of the intermediate firing shaftportion 222 into the shaft frame 210. Once the intermediate firing shaftportion 222 has been inserted therein, a top frame segment 215 may beengaged with the shaft frame 212 to enclose the intermediate firingshaft portion 222 and firing beam 280 therein. Further description ofthe operation of the firing member 220 may be found in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2014/0263541.

Further to the above, the illustrated shaft assembly 200 includes aclutch assembly 400 which can be configured to selectively andreleasably couple the articulation driver 230 to the firing member 220.In one form, the clutch assembly 400 includes a lock collar, or sleeve402, positioned around the firing member 220 wherein the lock sleeve 402can be rotated between an engaged position in which the lock sleeve 402couples the articulation driver 230 to the firing member 220 and adisengaged position in which the articulation driver 230 is not operablycoupled to the firing member 200. When lock sleeve 402 is in its engagedposition, distal movement of the firing member 220 can move thearticulation driver 230 distally and, correspondingly, proximal movementof the firing member 220 can move the proximal articulation driver 230proximally. When lock sleeve 402 is in its disengaged position, movementof the firing member 220 is not transmitted to the proximal articulationdriver 230 and, as a result, the firing member 220 can moveindependently of the proximal articulation driver 230. In variouscircumstances, the proximal articulation driver 230 can be held inposition by the articulation lock 350 when the proximal articulationdriver 230 is not being moved in the proximal or distal directions bythe firing member 220.

As can be further seen in FIG. 4, the lock sleeve 402 can comprise acylindrical, or an at least substantially cylindrical, body including alongitudinal aperture 403 defined therein configured to receive thefiring member 220. The lock sleeve 402 can comprisediametrically-opposed, inwardly-facing lock protrusions 404 and anoutwardly-facing lock member 406. The lock protrusions 404 can beconfigured to be selectively engaged with the firing member 220. Moreparticularly, when the lock sleeve 402 is in its engaged position, thelock protrusions 404 are positioned within a drive notch 224 defined inthe firing member 220 such that a distal pushing force and/or a proximalpulling force can be transmitted from the firing member 220 to the locksleeve 402. When the lock sleeve 402 is in its engaged position, asecond lock member 406 is received within a drive notch 232 defined inthe proximal articulation driver 230 such that the distal pushing forceand/or the proximal pulling force applied to the lock sleeve 402 can betransmitted to the proximal articulation driver 230. In effect, thefiring member 220, the lock sleeve 402, and the proximal articulationdriver 230 will move together when the lock sleeve 402 is in its engagedposition. On the other hand, when the lock sleeve 402 is in itsdisengaged position, the lock protrusions 404 may not be positionedwithin the drive notch 224 of the firing member 220 and, as a result, adistal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force may not betransmitted from the firing member 220 to the lock sleeve 402.Correspondingly, the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pullingforce may not be transmitted to the proximal articulation driver 230. Insuch circumstances, the firing member 220 can be slid proximally and/ordistally relative to the lock sleeve 402 and the proximal articulationdriver 230.

As can also be seen in FIG. 4, the elongate shaft assembly 200 furtherincludes a switch drum 500 that is rotatably received on the closuretube 260. The switch drum 500 comprises a hollow shaft segment 502 thathas a shaft boss 504 formed thereon for receive an outwardly protrudingactuation pin 410 therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin410 extends through a slot 267 into a longitudinal slot 408 provided inthe lock sleeve 402 to facilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve 402when it is engaged with the proximal articulation driver 230. A rotarytorsion spring 420 is configured to engage the shaft boss 504 on theswitch drum 500 and a portion of the nozzle housing 203 to apply abiasing force to the switch drum 500. The switch drum 500 can furthercomprise at least partially circumferential openings 506 defined thereinwhich, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, can be configured to receivecircumferential mounts extending from the nozzle portions 202, 203 andpermit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum500 and the proximal nozzle 201. The mounts also extend through openings266 in the closure tube 260 to be seated in recesses in the shaft spine210. However, rotation of the nozzle 201 to a point where the mountsreach the end of their respective slots 506 in the switch drum 500 willresult in rotation of the switch drum 500 about the shaft axis SA-SA.Rotation of the switch drum 500 will ultimately result in the rotationof the actuation pin 410 and the lock sleeve 402 between its engaged anddisengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle 201 may be employedto operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system with thefiring drive system in the various manners described in further detailin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263541.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the elongate shaft assembly 200can comprise a slip ring assembly 600 which can be configured to conductelectrical power to and/or from the end effector 700 and/or communicatesignals to and/or from the surgical end effector 700, for example. Theslip ring assembly 600 can comprise a proximal connector flange 604mounted to a chassis flange 242 extending from the chassis 240 and adistal connector flange 601 positioned within a slot defined in theshaft housings 202, 203. The proximal connector flange 604 can comprisea first face and the distal connector flange 601 can comprise a secondface which is positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the firstface. The distal connector flange 601 can rotate relative to theproximal connector flange 604 about the shaft axis SA-SA. The proximalconnector flange 604 can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at leastsubstantially concentric, conductors 602 defined in the first facethereof. A connector 607 can be mounted on the proximal side of thedistal connector flange 601 and may have a plurality of contacts (notshown) wherein each contact corresponds to and is in electrical contactwith one of the conductors 602. Such arrangement permits relativerotation between the proximal connector flange 604 and the distalconnector flange 601 while maintaining electrical contact therebetween.The proximal connector flange 604 can include an electrical connector606 which can place the conductors 602 in signal communication with ashaft circuit board 610 mounted to the shaft chassis 240, for example.In at least one instance, a wiring harness comprising a plurality ofconductors can extend between the electrical connector 606 and the shaftcircuit board 610. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitledSTAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUETHICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263551 is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. Further details regarding slip ring assembly 600may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

As discussed above, the elongate shaft assembly 200 can include aproximal portion which is fixably mounted to the handle 14 and a distalportion which is rotatable about a longitudinal shaft axis SA-SA. Therotatable distal shaft portion can be rotated relative to the proximalportion about the slip ring assembly 600, as discussed above. The distalconnector flange 601 of the slip ring assembly 600 can be positionedwithin the rotatable distal shaft portion. Moreover, further to theabove, the switch drum 500 can also be positioned within the rotatabledistal shaft portion. When the rotatable distal shaft portion isrotated, the distal connector flange 601 and the switch drum 500 can berotated synchronously with one another. In addition, the switch drum 500can be rotated between a first position and a second position relativeto the distal connector flange 601. When the switch drum 500 is in itsfirst position, the articulation drive system (i.e., the proximalarticulation driver 230) may be operably disengaged from the firingdrive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may notarticulate the end effector 700 of the shaft assembly 200. When theswitch drum 500 is in its second position, the articulation drive system(i.e., the proximal articulation driver 230) may be operably engagedwith the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firingdrive system may articulate the end effector 700 of the shaft assembly200. When the switch drum 500 is moved between its first position andits second position, the switch drum 500 is moved relative to distalconnector flange 601. In various instances, the shaft assembly 200 cancomprise at least one sensor that is configured to detect the positionof the switch drum 500.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the closure tube assembly 260 includes adouble pivot closure sleeve assembly 271. According to various forms,the double pivot closure sleeve assembly 271 includes an end effectorclosure sleeve 272 that includes upper and lower distally projectingtangs 273, 274. An upper double pivot link 277 includes upwardlyprojecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively anupper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projecting tang 273 and anupper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projecting tang 264 on theclosure tube 260. A lower double pivot link 278 includes upwardlyprojecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively alower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang 274 and alower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang 265.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the surgical end effector 700 includesan elongate channel 702 that is configured to operably support asurgical staple cartridge 800 therein. The elongate channel 702 has aproximal end portion 704 that includes two upstanding lateral walls 706.The surgical end effector 700 further includes an anvil 710 that has ananvil body 712 that has a staple-forming undersurface 714 formedthereon. The proximal end 716 of the anvil body 712 includes a laterallyprotruding anvil trunnion 718. A trunnion slot 708 is provided in eachlateral wall 706 of the elongate channel 702 for receiving acorresponding one of the anvil trunnions 718 therein. Such arrangementserves to movably affix the anvil 710 to the elongate channel 702 forselective pivotable travel between open and closed or clamped positions.The anvil 710 includes a tab 720 that is engageable with ahorseshoe-shaped slot 722 in the end effector closure sleeve 272. Whenthe closure tube 260 and, more particularly, the end effector closuresleeve 272, is moved distally, a side wall of the slot 722 can engagethe tab 720 to rotate the anvil 710 toward the elongate channel 702. Toopen the anvil 710, the closure tube 260 and, more particularly, the endeffector closure sleeve 272 is moved in the proximal direction. In doingso, a central tab portion defined by the horseshoe shaped slot 722cooperates with the tab 720 on the anvil 710 to pivot the anvil 710 toan open position. Other anvil and closure arrangements are disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRINGBEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, filedJun. 18, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, an exemplary staple cartridge 800 comprisesa cartridge body 802 that may be molded for example, from a polymermaterial and be configured to be removably retained within the elongatechannel 702. The staple cartridge body 802 includes a centrally disposedelongate slot 804 that is configured to receive a tissue cutting member750 therein. A plurality of staple cavities 810 a, 810 b, 810 c arearranged in the cartridge body 802 on each side of the elongate slot804. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-8, the staple cavities 810 a,810 b, 810 c are generally oriented in a “herringbone-like” pattern.Each staple cavity 810 a, 810 b, 810 c is configured to removably storea staple therein, although it is possible that some staple cavities 810a, 810 b, 810 c may not contain a staple stored therein. As will bediscussed in further detail below, the staple cartridge 800 furthercomprises a plurality of staple drivers 900 a, 900 b that are movablypositioned within the cartridge body 802 in conjunction withcorresponding staple cavities. Each staple driver 900 a, 900 b isconfigured to support one or more staples thereon and/or lift thestaples out of their respective staple cavities 810 a, 810 b, 810 c atthe same time, or concurrently when contacted by a sled or cammingactuator 760.

Referring to FIG. 6, as indicated above, the end effector 700 caninclude a tissue cutting member 750 that is configured to incise tissuecaptured between the staple cartridge 800 and the anvil 710. In theillustrated example, the tissue cutting member 750 is coupled to orintegrally formed on a distal end of the firing beam 280 and is orientedfor movement within the elongate slot 804. Distal advancement of thefiring beam 280 will therefore result in the distal advancement of thetissue cutting member 750 within the elongate slot 804 in the staplecartridge body 802. The anvil 710 also includes a longitudinal slotconfigured to at least partially receive a portion of the tissue cuttingmember 750; however, embodiments are envisioned in which only one of thecartridge 800 and the anvil 710 includes a slot configured to receive atissue cutting member. In the illustrated embodiment, the tissue cuttingmember 750 comprises at least one first projection 752 extendingtherefrom which is configured to engage the anvil 710 and at least onesecond projection 754 that is configured to engage the elongate channel702. The projections 752 and 754 can position the anvil 710 and thestaple cartridge 800 relative to one another. As the tissue cuttingmember 750 is advanced distally, the projections 752 and 754 canposition the anvil 710 and set the tissue gap between the staple formingundersurface 714 of the anvil 710 and the deck surface 816 of the staplecartridge 800 supported in the elongate channel 702.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, for example, the sled or camming actuator 760is configured to be engaged by the tissue cutting member 750 as thetissue cutting member 750 is distally driven through the staplecartridge 800 by the firing beam 280. In other arrangements, however,the sled 760 and tissue cutting member 750 may be formed as a singlecomponent. In still other arrangements that do not employ a tissuecutting member, the firing beam may contact the sled or camming memberor be integrally formed therewith. The sled 760 comprises one or moreramp or camming surfaces which are configured to drivingly contact orslide under the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b and lift the staple drivers900 a, 900 b upwardly toward the deck surface 816 of the staplecartridge 800. In the illustrated embodiment, the sled 760 comprisesfour ramp or camming surfaces or camming members 762, 764, 766 and 768.As will be discussed in further detail below, the sled 760 is movablefrom a proximal end 803 of the staple cartridge 800 toward a distal end811 of the cartridge 800 to sequentially lift the staple drivers 900 a,900 b in their respective “driver arrays” on each side of the elongateslot 804. When the drivers 900 a, 900 b are driven toward the decksurface 816 by the sled 760, the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b lift thestaples supported thereon toward the staple forming undersurface 714 ofthe anvil 710. As the sled 760 is progressed distally, the staples aredriven against the staple-forming undersurface 714 of the anvil 710 andare ejected from the staple cavities 810 a, 810 b, 810 c by the stapledrivers 900 a, 900 b. The staple cartridge 800 can further comprise asupport pan 780 attached thereto which extends around the bottom of thestaple cartridge body 802 and retains the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b,the staples, and/or the sled 760 within the cartridge 800.

As indicated above, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, thesurgical instrument 10 includes an articulation drive system 500, whichwhen actuated can articulate the end effector 700 about an articulationjoint 270. When the proximal articulation driver 230 is pushed in afirst direction, the end effector 700 can be rotated in a firstdirection and, when the proximal articulation driver 230 is pushed in asecond direction, the end effector 700 can be rotated in a second, oropposite, direction. In other embodiments, the end effector is notcapable of articulation. Referring now to FIG. 6, the illustrated endeffector 700 includes an end effector mounting assembly 790 that isadapted to be pivotally mounted to, for example, a portion of thearticulation lock 350 (FIG. 4) that is configured to be rotatablyreceived within the mounting hole 792 in the end effector mountingassembly 790. In the illustrated embodiment, the end effector mountingassembly 790 is mounted to the elongate channel 702 via a spring pin 796which extends through apertures 705 defined in the elongate channel 702and the end effector mounting assembly 790. As described in furtherdetail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, whichhas been herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, thearticulation lock 350 may be movable between a first, locked or engaged,position in which the lock is engaged with the end effector mountingassembly 790 and a second, or unlocked or disengaged, position. When thearticulation lock 350 is in its engaged or locked position, thearticulation lock 350 can hold the end effector 700 in position. Whenthe articulation lock 350 is in its disengaged position, the endeffector 700 can be rotated about the articulation joint 270. Otherarticulation arrangements are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/314,788, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SHAFT BASED ROTARY DRIVESYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which was filed on Jun. 25, 2014, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305993, and which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Still otherarticulation arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2013/0168435, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITHAN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, which was filed on Feb. 26, 2013, whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the staple cavities 810 a, 810 b, 810 c ofthe staple cartridge 800 open through the deck surface 816 and can bepositioned and arranged such that the staples stored in the staplecavities 810 a, 810 b, 810 c are deployed as part of an extensible or“flexible” or “elastic” staple line. The staple cavities 810 a, 810 b,810 c are arranged in a “staple cavity array” generally designated as806. In at least one arrangement, the staple cavity array 806 comprisesa first row 807 of staple cavities 810 a which removably stores a firstrow of staples. The first row 807 of staple cavities 810 a extends alonga first longitudinal axis 812 a adjacent the elongate slot 804. Thestaple cavity array 806 also comprises a second row 808 of staplecavities 810 b which removably stores a second row of staples. Thesecond row 808 of staple cavities 810 b extends along a secondlongitudinal axis 812 b adjacent the first row 807 of staple cavities810 a. The staple cavity array 806 further comprises a third row 809 ofstaple cavities 810 c which removably store a third row of staples. Thethird row 809 of staple cavities 810 c extends along a thirdlongitudinal axis 812 c adjacent the second row 808 of staple cavities810 b. The first longitudinal axis 812 a is parallel, or at leastsubstantially parallel, to the second longitudinal axis 812 b; however,other arrangements are possible in which the first longitudinal axis 812a is not parallel to the second longitudinal axis 812 b. The secondlongitudinal axis 812 b is parallel, or at least substantially parallel,to the third longitudinal axis 812 c; however, other arrangements arepossible in which the second longitudinal axis 812 b is not parallel tothe third longitudinal axis 812 c. The first longitudinal axis 812 a isparallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the third longitudinalaxis 812 c; however, other arrangements are possible in which the firstlongitudinal axis 812 a is not parallel to the third longitudinal axis812 c. Referring again to FIGS. 7 and 8, the staple cartridge 800comprises a first portion of the staple cavity array 806 including afirst row 807 of staple cavities 810 a, a second row 808 of secondstaple cavities 810 b, and a third row 809 of third staple cavities 810c on a first side 805 of the longitudinal slot 804 and a second portionof the cavity array 806 including a first row 810 a, a second row 810 b,and a third row 810 c on a second side 801 of the longitudinal slot 804.The first cavity array portion is a mirror image of the second cavityarray portion with respect to the longitudinal slot; however, otherarrangements may be utilized.

Still referring to FIG. 7, each of the first staple cavities 810 a isoriented at a first angle 824 a with respect a first reference axis 997a that is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis 812 a. Also inthe illustrated arrangement, each of the second staple cavities 810 b isoriented at a second angle 824 b with respect to a second reference axis997 b that is perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis 812 b. Inaddition, each of the third staple cavities 810 c is oriented at a thirdangle 824 c with respect to a third reference axis 997 c that isperpendicular to the third longitudinal axis 812 c. The first angle 824a is different than the second angle 824 b; however, in otherembodiments, the first angle 824 a and the second angle 824 b can be thesame. The third angle 824 c is different than the second angle 824 b;however, in other embodiments, the third angle 824 c and the secondangle 824 b can be the same. The first angle 824 a is the same as thethird angle 824 c; however, in other embodiments, the first angle 824 aand the third angle 824 c can be different. In at least one embodiment,angle 824 a may be approximately forty-five (45) degrees (with a rangeof ±thirty (30) degrees for example); angle 824 b may be approximatelyfifty (50) degrees (with a range of ±thirty (30) degrees, for example);and angle 824 c may be approximately forty-five (45) degrees with arange of ±thirty (30) degrees, for example).

The staple cartridge 800 is configured to deploy the staple pattern 813depicted in FIG. 9. The staple cartridge 800 is configured to deploy afirst row 817 of staples 820 a along a first longitudinal axis 822 a, asecond row 818 of staples 820 b along a second longitudinal axis 822 b,and a third row 819 of staples 820 c along a third longitudinal axis 822c. In various instances, the staple cartridge 800 is configured todeploy a first row 817 of staples 820 a, a second row 818 of staples 820b, and a third row 819 of staples 820 c on a first side of alongitudinal incision 826 and a first row 817 of staples 820 a, a secondrow 818 of staples 820 b, and a third row 819 of staples 820 c on asecond side of the longitudinal incision 826. The first rows 817 ofstaples 820 a can be positioned adjacent the longitudinal incision 826and the third row 819 of staples 820 c can be positioned furthest awayfrom the longitudinal incision 826. Each second row 818 of staples 820 bcan be positioned intermediate a first row 817 of staples 820 a and athird row 819 of staples 820 c.

Further to the above, the first staples 820 a are removably stored inthe first staple cavities 810 a, the second staples 820 b are removablystored in the second staple cavities 810 b, and the third staples 820 care removably stored in the third staple cavities 810 c. The staplecavities 810 a-810 c are configured and arranged to deploy the staples820 a-820 c in the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. For example,the first staples 820 a are oriented at the first angle 824 a withrespect to a first reference axis 999 a that is perpendicular to thefirst longitudinal axis 822 a. The second staples 820 b are oriented atthe second angle 824 b with respect to a second reference axis 999 bthat is perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis 822 b. The thirdstaples 820 c are oriented at the third angle 824 c with respect to athird reference axis 999 c that is perpendicular to the thirdlongitudinal axis 822 c.

The first staples 820 a, the second staples 820 b, and the third staples820 c can be positioned and arranged such that they provide“laterally-overlapping” staple lines. More particularly, referring againto FIG. 9, the second longitudinal row 818 of second staples 820 b ispositioned laterally with respect to the first longitudinal row 817 offirst staples 820 a such that the second staples 820 b are aligned withthe gaps between the first staples 820 a and, similarly, the thirdlongitudinal row 819 of third staples 820 c is positioned laterally withrespect to the second longitudinal row 818 of second staples 820 b suchthat the third staples 820 c are aligned with the gaps between thesecond staples 820 b. Such an arrangement can limit the flow of bloodfrom the tissue T to the longitudinal incision 826.

Further to the above, the staple pattern disclosed in FIG. 9 comprisessix longitudinal rows of staples. Other embodiments are envisioned whichcomprise less than six rows of staples, such as four rows of staples,for example, or more than six rows of staples, such as eight rows ofstaples, for example. The first staples 820 a, the second staples 820 b,and the third staples 820 c can comprise any suitable configuration suchas, for example, a V-shaped configuration or a U-shaped configuration. Astaple comprising a V-shaped configuration can include a base or crown,a first leg extending from a first end of the base or crown, and asecond leg extending from a second end of the base or crown, wherein thefirst leg and the second leg extend in directions which are non-parallelto one another. A staple comprising a U-shaped configuration can includea base or crown, a first leg extending from a first end of the base orcrown, and a second leg extending from a second end of the base orcrown, wherein the first leg and the second leg extend in directionswhich are parallel to one another.

With regard to the staple pattern disclosed in FIG. 9, for example, eachfirst staple 820 a comprises a first staple base or crown 827 a (FIG.12) that has a first proximal staple leg 825 a and a first distal stapleleg 823 a protruding therefrom. A staple cartridge 800 configured todeploy the staple pattern 813 disclosed in FIG. 9 can include a proximalend 803 and a distal end 811. The first proximal staple leg 825 a can becloser to the proximal end 803 of the staple cartridge 800 than thefirst distal staple leg 823 a and, similarly, the first distal stapleleg 823 a can be closer to the distal end 811 of the staple cartridge800 than the first proximal staple leg 825 a. The first crown 827 a ofeach first staple 820 a can define a first base axis “FBA”. Each of thefirst proximal staple leg 825 a and the first distal staple leg 823 acan extend from the first base axis FBA. The first staples 820 a can bepositioned and arranged such that the first base axes FBA's extendtoward the longitudinal cut line 826 and toward the distal end of thestaple cartridge 800. Stated another way, the first base axis FBA may betransverse to the elongate slot 804.

With regard to the staple pattern 813 disclosed in FIG. 9, for example,each second staple 820 b comprises a second staple base or crown 827 b(FIG. 12) that has a second proximal staple leg 825 b and a seconddistal staple leg 823 b protruding therefrom. The second proximal stapleleg 825 b can be closer to the proximal end 803 of the staple cartridge800 than the second distal staple leg 823 b and, similarly, the seconddistal staple leg 823 b can be closer to the distal end 811 of thestaple cartridge 800 than the second proximal staple leg 825 b. The basesecond crown 827 b of each second staple 820 b can define a second baseaxis “SBA”. The second proximal staple leg 825 b and the second distalstaple leg 823 b can extend from the second base axis SBA. The secondstaples 820 b can be positioned and arranged such that the second baseaxes SBA's extend toward the longitudinal incision 826 and toward theproximal end 803 of the staple cartridge 800. In the illustratedexample, the second base axes SBA are transverse to the first base axesas well as to the elongate slot 804.

With regard to the staple pattern 813 disclosed in FIG. 9, for example,each third staple 820 c comprises a third base or crown 827 c (FIG. 12)that has a third proximal staple leg 825 c and a third distal staple leg823 c protruding therefrom. The third proximal staple leg 825 c can becloser to the proximal end 803 of the staple cartridge 800 than thethird distal staple leg 823 c and, similarly, the third distal stapleleg 823 c can be closer to the distal end 811 of the staple cartridge800 than the third proximal staple leg 825 c. The third crown 827 c ofeach third staple 820 c can define a third base axis “TBA”. The thirdproximal staple leg 825 c and the third distal staple leg 823 c canextend from the third base axis TBA. The third staples 820 c can bepositioned and arranged such that the third base axes TBA's extendtoward the longitudinal cut line 826 and toward the distal end of thestaple cartridge. In the illustrated example, the third base axes TBAare parallel to the first base axes FBA and are transverse to the secondbase axes SBA as well as to the elongate slot 804. This is but oneexemplary embodiment and any suitable arrangement could be utilized.

Further to the above, the first staples 820 a straddle the firstlongitudinal axis 822 a. See FIG. 9. The first distal legs 823 a of thefirst staples 820 a are positioned on one side of the first longitudinalaxis 822 a and the first proximal legs 825 a are positioned on the otherside of the first longitudinal axis 822 a. Stated another way, the legsof the first staples 820 a are offset with respect to the firstlongitudinal axis 822 a. Alternative embodiments are envisioned in whichthe first staples 820 a are aligned with or collinear with the firstlongitudinal axis 822 a. The second staples 820 b straddle the secondlongitudinal axis 822 b. The second distal legs 823 b of the secondstaples 820 b are positioned on one side of the second longitudinal axis822 b and the second proximal legs 825 b are positioned on the otherside of the second longitudinal axis 822 b. Stated another way, the legsof the second staples 820 b are offset with respect to the secondlongitudinal axis 822 b. Alternative embodiments are envisioned in whichthe second staples 820 b are aligned with or collinear with the secondlongitudinal axis 822 b.

In the illustrated example, the third staples 820 c straddle the thirdlongitudinal axis 820 c. The third distal legs 823 c of the thirdstaples 820 c are positioned on one side of the third longitudinal axis820 c and the third proximal legs 825 c are positioned on the other sideof the third longitudinal axis 822 c. Stated another way, the legs ofthe third staples 820 c are offset with respect to the thirdlongitudinal axis 822 c. Alternative embodiments are envisioned in whichthe third staples 820 c are aligned with or collinear with the thirdlongitudinal axis 822 c. In certain embodiments, a first staple 820 acan comprise a first proximal leg 825 a which is aligned with the seconddistal leg 823 b of an adjacent second staple 820 b. Similarly, a thirdstaple 820 c can comprise a third proximal leg 825 c which is alignedwith the second distal leg 823 b of an adjacent second staple 820 b. Invarious embodiments, a first staple 820 a can comprise a first proximalleg 825 a which is positioned distally with respect to the second distalleg 823 b of an adjacent second staple 820 b. Similarly, a third staple820 c can comprise a third proximal leg 825 c which is positioneddistally with respect to the second distal leg 823 b of an adjacentsecond staple 820 b. The row of second staples 820 b is bounded by therow of first staples 820 a and the row of third staples 820 c. A secondstaple 820 b is bounded on one side by a first staple 820 a and on theother side by a third staple 820 c. More particularly, a first staple820 a is positioned laterally inwardly with respect to the secondproximal leg 825 b of a second staple 820 b and, similarly, a thirdstaple 820 c is positioned laterally outwardly with respect to thesecond distal leg 823 b of the second staple 820 b. As a result, thefirst staples 820 a can provide a boundary on one side of the secondstaples 820 b and the third staples 820 b can provide a boundary on theother side of the second staples 820 b.

A traditional staple pattern 829 is illustrated in FIG. 11. This staplepattern 829 comprises a first row 836 of first staples 830 a positionedalong a first longitudinal axis 832 a, a second row 838 of secondstaples 830 b positioned along a second longitudinal axis 832 b, and athird row 840 of third staples 830 c positioned along a thirdlongitudinal axis 832 c positioned on a first side of a longitudinalincision 835 in the tissue T. The first staples 830 a are aligned, or atleast substantially aligned, with the first longitudinal axis 832 a; thesecond staples 830 b are aligned, or at least substantially aligned,with the second longitudinal axis 832 b; and the third staples 830 c arealigned, or at least substantially aligned, with the third longitudinalaxis 832 c. Stated another way, the first staples 830 a are not orientedat an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis 832 a, thesecond staples 830 b are not oriented at an angle with respect to thesecond longitudinal axis 832 b, and the third staples 830 c are notoriented at an angle with respect to the third longitudinal axis 832 c.This traditional staple pattern also comprises a first row 836 ofstaples 830 a positioned along a first longitudinal axis 832 a, a secondrow 838 of staples 830 b positioned along a second longitudinal axis 832b, and a third row 840 of staples 830 c positioned along a thirdlongitudinal axis 832 c positioned on a second, or opposite, side of thelongitudinal incision 835.

When a longitudinal tensile force is applied to the tissue T stapled bythe staple pattern 829 illustrated in FIG. 11, the tissue T will stretchlongitudinally. Moreover, in various instances, the staples 830 a, 830 band 830 c can translate longitudinally as the tissue T is stretchedlongitudinally. Such an arrangement can be suitable in manycircumstances; however, the staples 830 a, 830 b and 830 c can restrictthe stretching and/or movement of the tissue T. In some instances, thetissue T that has been stapled by the staples 830 a, 830 b and 830 c maybe far less flexible than the adjacent tissue that has not been stapled.Stated another way, the staple pattern 829 comprising the staples 830 a,830 b, and 830 c can create a sudden change in the material propertiesof the tissue. In at least one instance, a large strain gradient can becreated within the tissue T as a result of the staple pattern which, inturn, can create a large stress gradient within the tissue T.

When the staples 830 a-830 c are ejected from a staple cartridge, thelegs of the staples can puncture the tissue T. As a result, the staplelegs create holes in the tissue. Various types of tissues are resilientand can stretch around the staple legs as the staple legs pass throughthe tissue. In various instances, the resiliency of the tissue canpermit the tissue to stretch and resiliently return toward the staplelegs to reduce or eliminate gaps present between the tissue and thestaple legs. Such resiliency or elasticity can also permit the tissue tostretch when a stretching force is applied to the tissue; however, suchresiliency can be inhibited by certain staple patterns. In at least oneinstance, the staple pattern 829 depicted in FIG. 11 can inhibit thelongitudinal stretching of the tissue. When a longitudinal stretchingforce is applied to the tissue stapled by the staple pattern of FIG. 11,the tissue may begin to pull away from the staple legs and create gapstherebetween. In some instances, especially in bariatric resectionapplications, such gaps can result in increased bleeding from thestomach tissue. In certain instances, especially in lung resectionapplications, air leaks can result in the lung tissue, for example.

The staple pattern 813 depicted FIGS. 9 and 10 is more flexible orelastic than “traditional” staple pattern 829 arrangements of the typedepicted in FIG. 11. For example, when a longitudinal tensile force isapplied to the tissue T, referring now to FIG. 10, the staples 820 a,820 b, and 820 c can, one, translate longitudinally as the tissue isstretched longitudinally and/or, two, rotate as the tissue is stretchedlongitudinally. Moreover, the compliant staple pattern 813 depicted inFIG. 9 can reduce or eliminate the gaps between the staple legs and thetissue T when a longitudinal stretching force is applied to the tissueand, as a result, reduce the bleeding and/or air leaks between thestaple legs and the tissue. The staple pattern 813 depicted in FIG. 9 isdepicted in an unstretched condition. When the tissue stapled by thestaple pattern depicted in FIG. 9 is stretched longitudinally, thestaples can move longitudinally with the tissue and/or rotate within thetissue, as illustrated in FIG. 10. U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/498,121, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE FOR CREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLELINE, filed Sep. 26, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein discloses various advantages as well asother variations of the elastic or compliant staple lines describedabove.

As indicated above, the staples 820 a, 820 b, 820 c are supported oncorresponding drivers 900 a, 900 b that are movably supported incavities formed in the cartridge body 802. To achieve staples withconsistent “formed” shapes, it may be desirable for each of the staplesto exit out of their respective cavity so that the staple legs thereofare generally perpendicular to the corresponding portion of the stapleforming undersurface 714 of the anvil 710. As indicated above, thestaple drivers on which the staples are supported are driven upwardlywhen they are drivingly contacted by the corresponding ramps or cammingmembers of the distally-moving sled or camming member 760. Because thesled ramps are moving in directions that are essentially transverse tothe direction in which the drivers are moving, the driving motionapplied by the sled ramps to the drivers could, at times, skew a stapledriver within its respective cavity as it is driven upward therein. Suchskewing of the staple driver(s) may undesirably result in one, anincrease in the force required to drive the firing beam and/or tworesult in the skewing of the staples as they are ejected from thecartridge body which could ultimately lead to inconsistently formedstaples or even malformed staples. Thus, it may be desirable to employstaple driver arrangements and corresponding cartridge body arrangementsthat afford sufficient amounts of support to the staple drivers as theyare drivingly contacted by the sled ramps.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate a staple driver 900 a according to at least oneembodiment of the present invention. In at least one arrangement, thestaple drivers 900 b may be mirror images of staple drivers 900 a. Ascan be seen in FIG. 12, one staple driver 900 a can support threestaples 820 a, 820 b, 820 c thereon. The staple driver 900 a includes afirst or innermost staple support portion 910 that is configured tosupport a first staple 820 a thereon, a second or central staple supportportion 930 that is configured to support a second staple 820 b thereonand a third or outermost staple support portion 950 that is configuredto support a third staple 820 c thereon. As used in this context, theterm “innermost” refers to the staple support portion that is closest tothe elongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802 and the term “outermost”refers to the staple support portion that is the farthest away from theelongate slot 804.

As can be seen in FIG. 12, the first staple support portion 910comprises a first distal support column 914 and a first proximal supportcolumn 918. The first staple support portion 910 further includes afirst distal support cradle 916 and a first proximal support cradle 920for supporting portions of the first staple crown 827 a. As can befurther seen in FIG. 12, when the first staple crown 827 a of the firststaple 820 a is supported on the support cradles 916 and 920, the firstdistal leg 823 a is essentially axially aligned with the first distalsupport column 914 and the first proximal leg 825 a is essentiallyaxially aligned with the first proximal support column 918.

Still referring to FIG. 12, the driver 900 a further comprises secondstaple support portion 930 that comprises a second distal support column934 and a second proximal support column 938. The second staple supportportion 930 further includes a second distal support cradle 936 and asecond proximal support cradle 940 for supporting portions of the secondstaple crown 827 b therein. As can also be seen in FIG. 12, when thesecond staple crown 827 b of the second staple 820 b is supported in thesecond cradles 936, 940, the second distal leg 823 b is essentiallyaxially aligned with the second distal support column 934 and the secondproximal leg 825 b is essentially axially aligned with the secondproximal support column 938.

As can also be seen in FIG. 12, the driver 900 a comprises a thirdstaple support portion 950 that includes a third distal support column954 and a third proximal support column 958. The third staple supportportion 950 further includes a third distal support cradle 956 and athird proximal support cradle 960 that are configured to supportportions of the third staple crown 827 c of the third staple 820 ctherein. As can be seen in FIG. 12, when the third crown 827 c of thethird staple 820 c is supported in the third cradles 956, 960, the thirddistal leg 823 c is essentially axially aligned with the third distalsupport column 954 and the third proximal leg 825 c is essentiallyaxially aligned with the third proximal support column 958.

Still referring to FIGS. 12-14, in at least one arrangement the firststaple support portion 910 is coupled to the second staple supportportion 930 by a first or distal connection member 970. The firstconnection member 970 includes a first cam portion that has a firstcamming surface or ramp 974 formed on the underside thereof. The secondstaple support portion 930 is likewise connected to the third staplesupport portion 950 by a second or proximal connection member 980. Asecond cam member 982 protrudes from or is attached to the third staplesupport portion 950 and has a second camming surface or ramp 984 formedthereon. In the illustrated arrangement, the first and second cammingsurfaces 974, 984 are formed with the same angle and are essentiallyparallel to each other. In other arrangements, however, the first andsecond camming surfaces 974, 984 may differ from each other. The cammingangle of the first and second camming surface 974, 984 may relate to thecam angles of the corresponding ramp or camming surfaces of the sled760. In at least one embodiment, the staple driver 900 a (and 900 b) isintegrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®, with nofill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® with a glassor mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could be used. Inother arrangements, the various portions of the staple driver 900 a (and900 b) may be separately fabricated from other materials and be attachedtogether by adhesive, solder, etc.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of one form of thesurgical staple cartridge body 802. As indicated above, in at least oneembodiment, the cartridge body 802 includes an elongate slot 804 thatmay be centrally disposed in the body 802. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 15, for example, the elongate slot 804 bifurcates the cartridgebody 802 into two body portions 850, 870 and extends along thecentrally-disposed cartridge axis “CA”. As can be seen in that Figure,the first body portion 850 includes a first cartridge wall portion 852that includes first support grooves or slots 854 that are each arrangedon a corresponding first slot axis “FSA” that is transverse to thecartridge axis CA. The first body portion 850 further includes a secondcartridge wall portion 856 that contains second support grooves or slots858 therein that are each arranged on a corresponding second slot axis“SSA” that is transverse to the cartridge axis CA. Located between thefirst cartridge wall portion 852 and the second cartridge wall portion856 are a plurality of spaced, staple driver guides 860. In at least onearrangement, the staple driver guides 860 are integrally formed with oneor both of the cartridge wall portions 852, 856 in the cartridge body802. In other arrangements, the staple driver guides 860 are attached tothe wall portions of the cartridge body 802. Each staple driver guide860 may be configured to slidably interlock with or, stated another way,slidably support two adjacent staple drivers 900 a. See FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, in at least one arrangement, each ofthe staple drivers 900 a includes opposed, hooked shaped slots 901, 903that are configured to be “hookingly engaged” by corresponding opposedhook-shaped portions 862, 864, respectively of the staple driver guide860. The hook-shaped portions 862 are configured to slidably support thefirst proximal support column 918 of a corresponding staple driver 900 aand the hook-shaped portions 864 are configured to slidably support athird distal support column 954 of a corresponding staple driver 900 a.In addition, the staple driver guide 860 further includes a proximalslot 863 that is configured to slidably support the second distalsupport column 934 of a corresponding staple driver 900 a as well as adistal slot 868 that is configured to slidably support the secondproximal support column 938 of the corresponding staple driver 900 a.Thus, each staple driver 900 a that is in sliding engagement with acorresponding staple driver guide 860 is slidably movable relative tothe staple driver guide 860 when the staple driver 900 a is drivinglycontacted by the sled ramps or camming surfaces 762, 764.

Referring again to FIG. 15, the second body portion 870 includes aprimary cartridge wall portion 872 that includes primary staple leggrooves or slots 874 therein that are each arranged on a correspondingprimary slot axis “PSA” that is transverse to the cartridge axis CA. Thesecond body portion further includes a secondary cartridge wall portion876 that contains second support grooves or slots 878 therein that areeach oriented on a corresponding secondary slot axis SDSA that istransverse to the cartridge axis CA. Located between the primarycartridge wall portion 872 and the secondary cartridge wall portion 876are a plurality of other spaced driver guides 860 that are eachconfigured to slidably interlock with two adjacent staple drivers 900 bwhich may be mirror images of staple drivers 900 a in the mannerdescribed above. Thus, each staple driver 900 b that is in slidableengagement with a corresponding driver guide 860 is slidably movablerelative to the driver guide 860 when the staple driver 900 b isdrivingly contacted by the sled ramps or camming members 766, 768. SeeFIG. 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, staple drivers 900 a are arranged infirst “staple driver array” generally designated as 905 a as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17. When the staple drivers 900 a are arranged as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, each staple driver 900 a may be in slidable engagementwith two corresponding staple guides 860. See FIG. 17. In addition, thefirst distal support column 914 of each staple driver 900 a may beslidably received within a corresponding first support groove or slots854 in the first cartridge wall portion 852. See FIGS. 8 and 15.Likewise, the third proximal support column 958 of each staple driver900 a may be slidably received within a corresponding second supportgroove or slot 858 in the second cartridge wall portion 856. Thus, eachof the support columns of the staple driver 900 a are slidably supportedby a corresponding staple driver guide 860 or they are supported by thecorresponding cartridge wall portion. Such arrangement may serve toprevent any skewing of the support columns when the staple driver isdriven upward within the cartridge body.

Referring again to FIG. 16, it can be seen that each of the first camportions 972 of the staple drivers 900 a are aligned along a first camaxis “FCA”. Thus, in at least one embodiment, each of the first cammingsurfaces 974 is axially aligned on the first cam axis FCA. Also, each ofthe second cam members 982 of the staple drivers 900 a is axiallyaligned along a second cam axis “SCA”. Thus, each of the second cammingsurfaces 984 of the staple drivers 900 a is axially aligned along thesecond cam axis SCA. In at least one arrangement, for example, the camaxes FCA and SCA are parallel to each other as well as to the elongateslot 804 (represented in segmented lines in FIG. 16) in the staplecartridge. Also in the illustrated staple driver array 905 b, each ofthe first cam members 972 of the staple drivers 900 b are aligned alonga primary first cam axis “PCA”. Thus, in at least one embodiment, eachof the first camming surfaces 974 of the staple drivers 900 b areaxially aligned on the primary cam axis PCA. Also, each of the secondcam members 982 of the staple drivers 900 b are all axially alignedalong a secondary cam axis “SDCA”. Thus, each of the second cammingsurfaces 984 of the staple drivers 900 b are axially aligned along thesecondary cam axis SDCA.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate the position of the sled or camming actuator760 relative to the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b. As can be seen in FIG.18, in the array 905 a of staple drivers 900 a, the ramp or cammingmember 764 is aligned with the second cam axis SCA. The ramp surface orcamming member 762 is aligned with the first cam axis FCA. The ramp orcamming member 766 is aligned on the primary cam axis PCA and the rampor camming member 768 is aligned with the secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus,the ramp or camming member 764 is situated to proceed under a portion ofeach of the crowns 827 c of staples 820 c that are supported on thedrivers 900 a. The ramp or camming surface 762 is situated to proceedunder a portion of each of the crowns 827 c of staples 820 a that aresupported on the drivers 900 a. Likewise, in the array 905 b of thestaple drivers 900 b, the ramp or camming member 766 is situated toproceed under a portion of the crowns 827 a of each of the staples 820 asupported on the drivers 900 b. The ramp or camming member 768 issituated to proceed under a portion of the crown 827 c of each of thestaples 820 c supported on the drivers 900 b. Stated another way, noneof the ramps or camming members 764, 762, 766, 768 are aligned with anyof the staple legs of the staples 820 a, 820 b, 820 c that are supportedon the drivers 900 a, 900 b. Such arrangement therefore enables thethird proximal support columns 958 of each of the staple drivers 900 ato be slidably received within corresponding second support grooves orslots 858 in the second cartridge wall portion 856 of the cartridge body802. In addition, the first distal support columns 914 of each of thestaple drivers 900 a are slidably received within corresponding firstsupport grooves or slots 854 in the first cartridge wall portion 852 ofthe cartridge 800. Likewise, each of the support columns 918, 934, 938,954 is also slidably supported in corresponding driver guides 860 thatare formed in or attached to the cartridge body 802. Each of the driverguides 860 may have the same height or similar height as the heights ofthe wall portions 852, 856.

Referring to FIG. 19 for example, the first and second cartridge wallportions 852, 856 (not shown in FIG. 19) have a height represented by“H”. The staple driver guides 860 may have the same or similar heights“H”. This height may also essentially comprise the height of thecartridge body 802 in at least some embodiments. Other embodiments mayemploy a “stepped deck” which is a deck surface that has more than oneplanar portion that have different heights which may be measured fromthe bottom of the cartridge body for example. In FIG. 19, element 816may represent the staple deck surface (or at least one staple decksurface in embodiments employing a stepped deck) and 781 may represent asurface upon which the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b sit when they are inan unactuated orientation within the cartridge body. For example,element number 781 may represent the upper surface of the support pan780. See FIG. 6. In at least one arrangement, the driver guides 860 mayalso have a height that is equal to or nearly equal to height “H” of thecartridge wall portions 852, 856. Thus, the support columns of eachdriver 900 a, 900 b are essentially slidably supported throughout theirentire path of travel (distance “H”) when they are driven upward in thecartridge body when contacted by the ramps or camming members on thesled 760. In other embodiments, the support columns of each driver 900a, 900 b are each supported for a distance or height that is at least(0.134 inch staple+at least 0.066 inch driver (0.2 inches total) for astaple cartridge that may be used to staple lung tissue for example).Stated another way, the driver can be advanced a distance that is atleast as long as the height of the staple (e.g., height of 820). Thestaple crown is “ejected” from the staple pocket in the cartridge toprevent tissue from being stuck between the driver and the cartridgedeck in its fully advanced state. Such feature may help to avoid thestaple drivers 900 a, 900 b from skewing during actuation which mayreduce the likelihood of the formation of malformed staples.

When the surgical instrument is “fired” or, stated another way, when thefiring drive system 80 is actuated to drive the firing beam 280distally, the tissue cutting member 750 contacts the sled or cammingmember 760 and drives the camming member 760 distally through the staplecartridge 800. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the camming members 982 of thestaple driver 900 a are located “inboard” (i.e., closer to the elongateslot 804) from the support columns 958 (and the staple legs 825 csupported thereon). Likewise, the camming members 982 of the stapledrivers 900 b are located inboard of the support columns 958 of thosestaple drivers 900 b and the staple legs 825 c supported thereon. Sucharrangements permit those support columns 958 to be completely slidablysupported through their entire range of upward travel by thecorresponding wall portions 856, 876 of the staple cartridge. Inaddition, the support columns 934, 938, 918, 954 are supported throughtheir entire range of upward travel by the corresponding staple driverguides 860 formed in the cartridge body 802. Likewise the support column914 of each of the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b are slidably supported inthe corresponding wall portions 852, 872 of the cartridge body 802through their entire range of upward travel.

Still referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the driver array 905 a comprises aplurality of staple drivers 900 a that are each configured to supportthree staples 820 a, 820 b, 820 c thereon. Of course during use, eachdriver 900 a may actually support one, two or all three of such staples.On each staple driver 900 a, staple 820 a lies along axis FBA. Statedmore precisely, the staple crown 827 a of staple 820 a lies along axisFBA. Staple 820 c lies along axis TBA. Stated more precisely, the staplecrown 827 c of staple 820 c lies along the third base axis TBA. In atleast one arrangement axes FBA and TBA are parallel to each other.Staple 820 b is centrally supported between staples 820 a and 820 c andlies along an axis SBA. Stated more precisely, the staple crown of 827 blies along the second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, SBAis transverse to axes FBA and TBA. Stated another way, the staple driver900 a is configured to support two surgical staples that are parallel toeach other or extend in the same direction and one staple that istransverse to the other two staples or extends in another direction thatdiffers from the directions in which the other two staples extend. Inthe illustrated arrangement, when the staple drivers 900 a, 900 b areall operably supported in the staple cartridge 800, all of the axes FBA,SBA, TBA are each transverse to the elongate slot 804.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 16, when the staple drivers900 a are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the stapledriver array 905 a, the staple drivers 900 a form a first longitudinalrow 1200 a of staples 820 a that is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in thecartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 a in the first longitudinalrow 1200 a extend in a first direction as was described above. Likewise,the staple drivers 900 a form a second longitudinal row 1202 a ofstaples 820 b that are adjacent the first longitudinal row 1200 a. Thestaples 820 b in the second longitudinal row 1202 a extend in a seconddirection that is different from the first direction of the staples 820a in the first longitudinal row 1200 a. In addition, the staple drivers900 a form a third longitudinal row 1204 a of staples 820 c that areoriented in a third direction which may or may not be in the samedirection as staples 820 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,the first and third directions are the same. The third longitudinal row1204 a is adjacent to the second longitudinal row 1202 a.

Still referring to FIG. 16, when the staple drivers 900 b are alloperably supported in the staple cartridge in the staple driver array905 b, the staple drivers 900 b form a first longitudinal row 1200 b ofstaples 820 a that is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in the cartridgebody 802. Each of the staples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 1200 bextend in a first direction as was described above. Likewise, the stapledrivers 900 b form a second longitudinal row 1202 b of staples 820 bthat are adjacent the first longitudinal row 1200 b. The staples 820 bin the second longitudinal row 1202 a extend in a second direction thatis different from the first direction of the staples 820 a in the firstlongitudinal row 1200 a. In addition, the staple drivers 900 b form athird longitudinal row 1204 b of staples 820 c that are oriented in athird direction which may or may not be in the same direction as staples820 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and thirddirections are the same. The third longitudinal row 1204 b is adjacentto the second longitudinal row 1202 b.

Other staple driver arrays 990 a, 990 b are illustrated in FIGS. 20 and21. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 990 aemploys a distal staple driver 1000 a and a proximal staple driver 1100a in addition to a plurality of the staple drivers 900 a. Likewise, thestaple driver array 990 b includes a distal staple driver 1000 b and aproximal staple driver 1100 b. Distal staple driver 1000 b mayessentially be a mirror image of distal staple driver 1000 a andproximal staple driver 1100 b may essentially be a mirror image ofproximal staple driver 1100 a. FIGS. 22-24 illustrate one exemplary formof a distal staple driver 1000 a with it being understood that, in atleast one arrangement, the distal staple driver 1000 b essentiallycontains the same features as a distal staple driver 1000 a, but is amirror image thereof. Each distal staple driver 1000 a, 1000 b includesa distal staple support portion 1010 that is configured to support acorresponding distal most staple 820 cd thereon. As can be seen in FIGS.22-24, the distal staple support portion 1010 comprises a distal supportcolumn 1014 and a proximal support column 1018. The distal staplesupport portion 1010 further includes a distal support cradle 1016 and aproximal support cradle 1020 for supporting portions of the staple crown827 c of the corresponding distal staple 820 cd. When the staple crown827 c of the distal staple 820 cd is supported on the support cradles1016 and 1020, the first distal leg 823 c of the staple 820 cd isessentially axially aligned with the first distal support column 1016and the first proximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with thefirst proximal support column 1018. In at least one arrangement, thedistal staple drivers 1000 a, 1000 b include a distal connection member1070. The distal connection member 1070 is configured to slidably engagethe corresponding distal-most driver guide (designated as 860D in FIG.21).

In at least one arrangement, the distal connection member 1070 includesa hook-shaped distal slot 1072 that is configured to be “hookinglyengaged” by the hook-shaped portion 864 on the corresponding distal-mostdriver guide 860D. In addition, the distal connection member 1070 mayinclude a projection 1074 that is configured to be slidably receivedwithin a corresponding slot 868 in the distal most driver guide 860D.See FIG. 21. Thus, each distal staple driver 1000 a, 1000 b is slidablyengaged with a corresponding driver guide 860. In addition, in the array990 a of staple drivers 900 a, 1000 a, the proximal support column 1018of the distal staple driver 1000 a may be slidably received within acorresponding second support groove or slot 858 in the second cartridgewall portion 856. Likewise, the proximal support column 1018 of thedistal staple driver 1100 b may be slidably received within acorresponding second support groove or slot 878 in the secondarycartridge wall portion 876. As can also be seen in FIGS. 23 and 24, afirst cam member 1022 protrudes from or is attached to the distal staplesupport portion 1010 and has a first camming surface or ramp 1024 formedthereon. The distal connection member 1070 further includes a seconddistal cam portion 1026 that has a second or distal camming surface orramp 1028 formed thereon as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. In at least onearrangement, the camming surfaces 1024 have the same slope or angle asthe slope/angle of camming surfaces 984. Likewise, the camming surfaces1028 have the same slope/angle as the slope/angle of camming surfaces974. In at least one embodiment, each distal staple driver 1000 a, 1000b is integrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®, with nofill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® with a glassor mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could be used. Inother arrangements, the various portions of the distal staple drivers1000 a, 1000 b may be separately fabricated from other materials and beattached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

FIGS. 25-27 illustrate an exemplary proximal staple driver 1100 a.Proximal staple driver 1100 b may essentially be a mirror image ofproximal staple driver 1100 a. Each proximal staple driver 1100 a, 1100b includes. a proximal staple support portion 1110 that is configured tosupport a corresponding proximal most staple 820 ap thereon. As can beseen in FIGS. 25-27, the proximal staple support portion 1110 comprisesa distal support column 1114 and a proximal support column 1118. Theproximal staple support portion 1110 further includes a distal supportcradle 1116 and a proximal support cradle 1120 for supporting portionsof the staple crown 827 a of the corresponding proximal staple 820 ap.When the staple crown 827 a of the proximal staple 820 ap is supportedon the support cradles 1116 and 1120, the distal leg 823 a of the staple820 ap is essentially axially aligned with the distal support column1116 and the proximal leg 825 a is essentially axially aligned with theproximal support column 1118. In at least one arrangement, the proximalstaple drivers 1100 a, 1100 b include a body member 1170. The bodymember 1170 is configured to slidably engage the correspondingproximal-most driver guide (designated as 860P in FIG. 21).

In at least one arrangement, the body member 1170 includes a hook-shapeddistal slot 1172 that is configured to be “hookingly engaged” by thehook-shaped portion 862 of the proximal-most driver guide 860P. Inaddition, the body member 1170 may include a projection 1174 that isconfigured to be slidably received within a corresponding slot 869 inthe proximal most staple driver guide 860P. Thus, each proximal stapledriver 1100 a, 1100 b is slidably engaged with a corresponding driverguide 860P. In addition, in the array 990 a of staple drivers 900 a,1000 a, 1100 a, the distal support column 1114 of the proximal stapledriver 1100 a may be slidably received within a corresponding firststaple leg groove 854 in the first cartridge wall portion 852. Likewise,the distal support column 1114 of the proximal staple driver 1110 b maybe slidably received within a corresponding primary staple leg groove874 in the primary cartridge wall portion 872. As can also be seen inFIGS. 26 and 27, a first proximal cam portion 1122 protrudes from or isattached to the body member 1170 and has a first proximal cammingsurface or ramp 1124 formed thereon. The body member 1170 also includesa second distal cam portion or ramp 1126 that has a second distalcamming surface 1128 formed thereon. In at least one arrangement, thecamming surfaces 1124 have the same slope or angle as the slopes/anglesof the camming surfaces or ramps 984, 1024. Likewise, the cammingsurfaces 1128 may have the same slope/angle as the slope/angle ofcamming surface 974 and 1028. In at least one embodiment, each proximalstaple driver 1100 a, 1100 b is integrally formed from or molded from,for example, Ultem®, with no fill. However, other materials such as, forexample, Ultem® with a glass or mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with aglass file could be used. In other arrangements, the various portions ofthe proximal staple drivers 1100 a, 1100 b may be separately fabricatedfrom other materials and be attached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 20, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 990 a in the illustrated arrangement, the distal cam portion 1126of the proximal staple driver 1100 a as well as each of the first cammembers 972 of the staple drivers 900 a, as well as the distal camportion 1026 of the distal staple driver 1000 a are all aligned along afirst cam axis FCA. Thus, in at least one embodiment, each of the firstdistal camming surfaces 1028, 1128 as well as each of the first cammingsurfaces 974 is axially aligned on the first cam axis FCA. Also, thesecond proximal cam portion 1122 of the proximal staple driver 1100 aand the proximal cam portion 1022 of the distal staple driver 1000 a, aswell as each of the second cam members 982 of the staple drivers 900 ais all axially aligned along a second cam axis SCA. Thus, the proximalcamming surfaces 1024, 1124 and the second camming surfaces 984 of thestaple drivers 900 a are axially aligned along the second cam axis SCA.Also in the illustrated staple driver array 990 b, the distal camportion 1126 of the proximal staple driver 1100 b as well as the distalcam portion 1026 of the distal staple driver 1000 b as well as each ofthe cam members 972 of the staple drivers 900 b are all aligned along aprimary cam axis PCA. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the distalcamming surfaces 1128, 1028, as well as each of the first cammingsurfaces 974 in the staple driver array 990 b are axially aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA.

Still referring to FIG. 20, the staple driver array 990 b in theillustrated arrangement, the first distal cam portion 1126 of theproximal staple driver 1100 b as well as each of the first cam members972 of the staple drivers 900 b as well as the first distal cam portion1026 of the distal staple driver 1000 b are all aligned along a primarycam axis PCA. Thus, in at least one embodiment, each of the first distalcamming surfaces 1028, 1128 as well as each of the first cammingsurfaces 974 in the staple driver array 990 b is axially aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA. Also, the second proximal cam portion 1122 of theproximal staple driver 1100 b and second proximal cam portion 1022 ofthe distal staple driver 1000 b, as well as each of the second cammembers 982 of the staple drivers 900 b are all axially aligned along asecondary cam axis SDCA. Thus each of the proximal camming surfaces1024, 1124 and the second camming surfaces 984 of the staple drivers 900b are axially aligned along the second cam axis SDCA.

As was discussed above, in the array 990 a, the ramp or camming surface764 of the sled or camming member 760 is aligned with the second camaxis SCA. Likewise, the ramp or camming surface 762 is aligned with thefirst cam axis FCA. The ramp or camming surface 766 is aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA and the ramp or camming surface 768 is aligned withthe secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, the ramp surface 764 is aligned witha portion of each of the crowns 827 c of staples 820 c. The ramp surface762 is aligned with a portion of each of the crowns 827 c of staples 820a as well as the crowns 827 c of the staples 820 cd. Likewise, in thearray 990 b of the staple drivers 1000 b, 900 b, 1100 b, the rampsurface 766 is aligned with a portion of the crowns 827 a of each of thestaples 820 a as well as a portion of the crown 827 a of the proximalmost staple 820 ap. The ramp surface 768 is aligned with a portion ofthe crown 827 c of each of the staples 820 c as well as a portion of thecrown 827 c of the distal most staple 820 cd. Stated another way, noneof the ramps 764, 762, 766, 768 are aligned with any of the staple legsof the staples 820 a, 820 b, 820 c, 820 cd and 820 ap. Such arrangementtherefore enables the third proximal support columns 958 of each of thestaple drivers 900 a to be slidably received within corresponding secondsupport grooves or slots 858 in the second cartridge wall portion 856 ofthe cartridge body 802. As well as the proximal support column 1018 ofthe distal staple driver 1000 a to be slidably received within acorresponding support groove or slot 858 in the cartridge wall portion856. In addition, the first distal support columns 914 of each of thestaple drivers 900 a are slidably received within corresponding firstsupport grooves or slots 854 in the first cartridge wall portion 852 ofthe cartridge 800. In addition, the distal support column 1114 of theproximal staple driver 1100 a is slidably received within a supportgroove or slot 854. In the staple driver array 990 a, each of thesupport columns 1014, 918, 934, 938, 954, 1118 are also slidablysupported in corresponding driver guides 860D, 860, 860P that are formedin the cartridge body 802 and may have the same heights or similarheights as the heights of the wall portions 852, 856.

When the surgical instrument is “fired” or stated another way, when thefiring drive system 80 is actuated to drive the firing beam 280distally, the tissue cutting member 750 contacts the sled or cammingmember 760 and drives the camming member 760 distally through the staplecartridge 800. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the camming members 982 of thestaple driver 900 a are located “inboard” from the support columns 958(and the staple legs 825 c supported thereon). Likewise, the cammingmember 1022 of the distal staple driver 1000 a is located inboard of theproximal support column 1018 (and the staple leg 825 c of the distalmost staple 820 cd supported thereon). In addition, the camming members972 are all located inboard of the proximal support columns 914 (and thestaple legs 823 a of the staples 820 a supported thereon). Also, thecamming member 1126 of the proximal staple driver 1100 a is locatedinboard of the support column 1114 (and the staple leg 823 a of theproximal most staple 820 ap supported thereon). The drivers 1000 b, 900b, 1100 b in driver array 990 b are similarly configured. Sucharrangements permit the support columns to either be slidably supportedin corresponding slots in the cartridge wall portions or in slots incorresponding driver guides formed within the cartridge body throughtheir entire range of upward travel.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 20, when the staple drivers900 a, 1000 a and 1100 a are all operably supported in the staplecartridge in the staple driver array 990 a, the staple drivers 900 a,1000 a, 1100 a form a first longitudinal row 1210 a of staples 820 athat is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each ofthe staples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 1210 a extend in a firstdirection as was described above. Likewise, the staple drivers 900 aform a second longitudinal row 1212 a of staples 820 b that are adjacentthe first longitudinal row 1210 a. The staples 820 b in the secondlongitudinal row 1212 a extend in a second direction that is differentfrom the first direction of the staples 820 a in the first longitudinalrow 1210 a. In addition, the staple drivers 900 a form a thirdlongitudinal row 1214 a of staples 820 c that are oriented in a thirddirection which may or may not be in the same direction as staples 820a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and thirddirections are the same. The third longitudinal row 1214 a is adjacentto the second longitudinal row 1212 a.

Still referring to FIG. 20, when the staple drivers 900 b are alloperably supported in the staple cartridge in the staple driver array990 b, the staple drivers 900 b form a first longitudinal row 1210 b ofstaples 820 a that is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in the cartridgebody 802. Each of the staples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 1201 bextend in a first direction as was described above. Likewise, the stapledrivers 900 b form a second longitudinal row 1212 b of staples 820 bthat are adjacent the first longitudinal row 1210 b. The staples 820 bin the second longitudinal row 1210 b extend in a second direction thatis different from the first direction of the staples 820 a in the firstlongitudinal row 1210 b. In addition, the staple drivers 900 b form athird longitudinal row 1214 b of staples 820 c that are oriented in athird direction which may or may not be in the same direction as staples820 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and thirddirections are the same. Stated another way, the staple crown of thestaples 820 a may lie along an axis and the staples 820 c may lie alonganother axis that is parallel to the axis along which the staple crownsof the staples 820 a lie as will be discussed in further detail below.The third longitudinal row 1214 b is adjacent to the second longitudinalrow 1212 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 990 a, 990 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the distal driver 1000 a supports a distal most staple 820cd in the longitudinal row of staples 1214 a that is extending in thesame direction and essentially beside the distal most staple 820 a inthe longitudinal row 1210 a. Similarly, the proximal driver 1100 asupports a proximal most staple 820 ap in the longitudinal row 1210 a ofstaples that extends in the same direction and is essentially beside theproximal most staple 820 c in the longitudinal row 1214 a. Likewise,distal driver 1000 b supports a distal most staple 820 cd in thelongitudinal row of staples 1214 b that is extending in the samedirection and essentially beside the distal most staple 820 a in thelongitudinal row 1210 b. Similarly, the proximal driver 1100 b supportsa proximal most staple 820 ap in the longitudinal row 1210 b of staplesthat extends in the same direction and is essentially beside theproximal most staple 820 c in the longitudinal row 1214 b. Such staplepattern may provide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends of eachline of staples. As used in this context, the term “line of staples”collectively refers to the longitudinal rows of staples on one side ofthe elongate slot 804 in the staple cartridge body 802. For example,line of staples, generally designated as 1220 a, collectively refers tothe longitudinal rows 1200 a, 1202 a, 1204 a. Line of staples 1220 bcollectively refers to the longitudinal rows 1200 b, 1202 b, 1204 b.

Other staple driver arrays 1300 a, 1300 b are illustrated in FIGS. 28and 29. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 1300 aemploys a distal staple driver 1000 a and a plurality of staple drivers900 a in the manners described above. This array also employs a proximalstaple driver 1310 a that operably supports a total of four staples.FIGS. 30-32 illustrate one exemplary form of a proximal staple driver1310 a with it being understood that, in at least one arrangement, theproximal staple driver 1310 b essentially contains the same features asa proximal staple driver 1310 a and may be a mirror image thereof. Eachproximal staple driver 1310 a, 1310 b comprises a driver body 1311. Inat least one form, the driver body 1311 includes a first or innermoststaple support portion 1320 that is configured to support a staple 820 athereon, a second or central staple support portion 1350 that isconfigured to support a staple 820 b thereon, third support portion 1370that is configured to support a staple 820 c thereon and a fourth orproximal most staple support portion 1390 that is configured to supporta proximal most staple 820 cp thereon.

As can be seen in FIGS. 30 and 31, the first staple support portion 1320comprises a first distal support column 1324 and a first proximalsupport column 1328. The first staple support portion 1320 furtherincludes a first distal support cradle 1326 and a first proximal supportcradle 1330 for supporting portions of the first staple crown 827 a. Ascan be seen in FIG. 31, when the first staple crown 827 a of the firststaple 820 a is supported on the support cradles 1326 and 1330, thefirst distal leg 823 a is essentially axially aligned with the firstdistal support column 1324 and the first proximal leg 825 a isessentially axially aligned with the first proximal support column 1328.In addition, the staple crown 827 a is supported or oriented along afirst base axis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, the proximal staple driver 1310 afurther comprises second staple support portion 1350 that comprises asecond distal support column 1354 and a second proximal support column1358. The second staple support portion 1350 further includes a seconddistal support cradle 1356 and a second proximal support cradle 1360 forsupporting portions of the second staple crown 827 b therein. As can beseen in FIG. 31, when the second staple crown 827 b of the second staple820 b is supported in the cradles 1356, 1360, the second distal leg 823b is essentially axially aligned with the second distal support column1354 and the second proximal leg 825 b is essentially axially alignedwith the second proximal support column 1358. In addition, the staplecrown 827 b is supported or oriented along a second base axis SBA that,in at least one arrangement, is transverse to the first base axis FBA.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 30 and 31, the proximal staple driver 1310a comprises a third staple support portion 1370 that includes a thirddistal support column 1374 and a third proximal support column 1378. Thethird staple support portion 1370 further includes a third distalsupport cradle 1376 and a third proximal support cradle 1380 configuredto support portions of the third staple crown 827 c of the third staple820 c therein. As can be seen in FIG. 31, when the third crown 827 c ofthe third staple 820 c is supported in the cradles 1376, 1380, the thirddistal leg 823 c is essentially axially aligned with the third distalsupport column 1374 and the third proximal leg 825 c is essentiallyaxially aligned with the third proximal support column 1378. Inaddition, the staple crown 827 c is supported or oriented along a thirdbase axis TBA that is, in at least one arrangement, parallel with thefirst base axis FBA and transverse to the second base axis SBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, the proximal staple driver 1310 acomprises a fourth staple support portion 1390 that includes a fourthdistal support column 1394 and a fourth proximal support column 1398.The fourth staple support portion 1390 further includes a fourth distalsupport cradle 1396 and a third proximal support cradle 1400 configuredto support portions of the fourth staple crown 827 cp of the proximalmost or fourth staple 820 cp therein. As can be seen in FIG. 31, whenthe fourth crown 827 cp of the fourth staple 820 cp is supported in thecradles 1396, 1400, the fourth distal leg 823 cp is essentially axiallyaligned with the fourth distal support column 1394 and the fourthproximal leg 825 cp is essentially axially aligned with the fourthproximal support column 1398. In addition, the staple crown 827 cp issupported or oriented along a proximal base axis PBA that is, in atleast one arrangement, parallel with the first base axis and the thirdbase axis TBA and transverse to the second base axis SBA.

In at least one arrangement, the first staple support portion 1320, thesecond staple support portion 1350, the third staple support portion1370 and the fourth staple support portion 1390 are all coupled togetherby a connector portion 1410. In at least one arrangement, the connectorportion 1410 is formed with a centrally disposed opening or aperture1412 that is configured to slidably receive the proximal most driverguide 860P therein. See FIG. 29. The connector portion 1410 is formedwith a first hook-shaped slot 1414 that is adapted to be hookinglyengaged by a hooked shaped portion 862P and a second hook shaped slot1416 that is adapted to be hookingly engaged by a hook shaped portion864P on the proximal most driver guide 860P that is formed in thecartridge body. In addition, a third slot 1418 is formed in theconnector portion 1410 for slidably engaging a correspondingly shapedportion 866P of the driver guide 860P. A fourth slot 1420 is formed inthe connector portion 1410 for slidably engaging a hook shaped portion862 of the adjacent driver guide 860. See FIG. 29. Also in theillustrated embodiment, the connector portion 1410 includes a fifth slot1422 for slidably receiving a correspondingly shaped portion 868P of theproximal most driver guide 860P. In addition, in the array 1300 a ofstaple drivers 900 a, 1000 a, 1310 a, the support columns 1324, 1394 ofthe proximal staple driver 1310 a may be slidably received within acorresponding first support groove or slot 854 in the first cartridgewall portion 852 in the manner described above. In addition, the supportcolumn 1378 may be slidably supported in a corresponding support grooveor slot 858 in the second cartridge wall portion 856. Likewise, thesupport columns 1324, 1394 of the proximal staple driver 1310 b may beslidably received within a corresponding primary support groove or slot874 in the primary cartridge wall portion 872 in the manner describedabove. In addition, the support column 1378 of the proximal stapledriver 1310 b may be slidably supported in a corresponding supportgroove or slot 878 in the secondary cartridge wall portion 876.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, the connector portion 1410includes a first cam portion 1430 that has a first camming surface orramp 1432 formed thereon. The connector portion 1410 also includes asecond cam portion 1434 that has a second a second camming surface 1436formed thereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 1432,1436 have the same slope or angle which may be the same or differentfrom the slope(s) and/or angles(s) of the camming surfaces or ramps 974,984. In at least one embodiment, each proximal staple driver 1310 a,1310 b is integrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®,with no fill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® witha glass or mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could beused. In other arrangements, the various portions of the proximal stapledrivers 1310 a, 1310 b may be separately fabricated from other materialsand be attached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 28, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 1300 a in the illustrated arrangement, the first cam portion 1430of the proximal staple driver 1310 a and the distal cam portion 1026 ofthe distal staple driver 1000 a, as well as each of the first cammembers 972 of the staple drivers 900 a are all axially aligned along afirst cam axis FCA. Thus the proximal camming surface 1028, the secondcamming surfaces 974 of the staple drivers 900 a and the camming surface1432 are all axially aligned along the first cam axis FCA. The secondcam portion 1434 of the proximal staple driver 1310 a, as well as eachof the second cam members 982 of the staple drivers 900 a, as well asthe cam member 1022 of the distal staple driver 1000 a are all alignedalong a second cam axis SCA. Thus, in at least one embodiment, thecamming surface 1436, as well as each of the camming surfaces 984 andcamming surface 1024 are all axially aligned on the second cam axis SCA.Also in the illustrated staple driver array 1300 b, the cam portion 1430of the proximal staple driver 1310 b, as well as each of the cam members972 of the staple drivers 900 b, as well as the cam portion 1026 of thedistal staple driver 1000 b are all aligned along a primary cam axisPCA. Thus, the second camming surface 1432 of the proximal staple driver1310 b, the second camming surfaces 974 of the staple drivers 900 b andthe camming surface 1028 of the distal staple driver 1000 b are allaxially aligned along the second primary cam axis PCA. Still referringto FIG. 28, in the staple driver array 1300 b of the illustratedarrangement, the second cam portion 1434 of the proximal staple driver1310 b, as well as each of the cam members 982 of the staple drivers 900b as well as the first proximal cam portion 1022 of the distal stapledriver 1000 b are all aligned along a secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, inat least one embodiment, each of the camming surfaces 1436 as well aseach of the camming surfaces 984 and camming surface 1024 are axiallyaligned on the secondary cam axis SDCA.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 28, when the staple drivers900 a, 1000 a and 1310 a are all operably supported in the staplecartridge in the staple driver array 1300 a, the staple drivers 900 a,1000 a, 1310 a form a first longitudinal row 1450 a of staples 820 athat is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each ofthe staples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 1450 a extend in a firstdirection as was described above. Likewise, the staple drivers 900 a andthe proximal staple driver 1310 a form a second longitudinal row 1460 aof staples 820 b that are adjacent the first longitudinal row 1450 a.The staples 820 b in the second longitudinal row 1460 a extend in asecond direction that is different from the first direction of thestaples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 1450 a. In addition, thestaple drivers 1000 a, 900 a and 1310 a form a third longitudinal row1470 a of staples 820 c that are oriented in a third direction which mayor may not be in the same direction as staples 820 a. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, the first and third directions are the same.The third longitudinal row 1470 a is adjacent to the second longitudinalrow 1460 a.

Still referring to FIG. 28, when the staple drivers 1000 b, 900 b and1310 b are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the stapledriver array 1300 b, the staple drivers 1000 b, 900 b and 1310 b form aprimary longitudinal row 1450 b of staples 820 a that is adjacent toelongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 ain the primary longitudinal row 1450 b extend in a first direction aswas described above. Likewise, the staple drivers 900 b and 1310 b forma secondary longitudinal row 1460 b of staples 820 b that are adjacentthe primary longitudinal row 1450 b. The staples 820 b in the secondarylongitudinal row 1460 b extend in a second direction that is differentfrom the first direction of the staples 820 a in the primarylongitudinal row 1450 b. In addition, the staple drivers 1000 b, 900 band 1310 b form a tertiary longitudinal row 1470 b of staples 820 c thatare oriented in a third direction which may or may not be in the samedirection as staples 820 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,the first and third directions are the same. The tertiary longitudinalrow 1470 b is adjacent to the secondary longitudinal row 1460 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 1300 a, 1300 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the distal driver 1000 a supports a distal most staple 820cd in the longitudinal row of staples 1470 a that is extending in thesame direction and essentially beside the distal most staple in thelongitudinal row 1450 a. Similarly, the proximal driver 1310 a supportstwo proximal most staples 820 c and 820 cp in the longitudinal rows 1450a and 1470 a, respectively, of staples that extend in the same directionas the proximal most staple in the longitudinal row 1470 a. Likewise,distal driver 1000 b supports a distal most staple 820 cd in thelongitudinal row of staples 1470 b that is extending in the samedirection and essentially beside the distal most staple in thelongitudinal row 1450 b. Similarly, the proximal driver 1310 b supportsa proximal most staple in the longitudinal row 1450 b of staples thatextends in the same direction and is essentially beside the proximalmost staple in the longitudinal row 1470 b. Such staple pattern mayprovide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends of each line ofstaples. As used in this context, the term “line of staples”collectively refers to the longitudinal rows of staples on one side ofthe elongate slot 804 in the staple cartridge body 802. For example,line of staples, generally designated as 1480 a, collectively refers tothe longitudinal rows 1450 a, 1460 a, 1470 a of staples. Line of staples1480 b collectively refers to the longitudinal rows 1450 b, 1460 b, 1470b of staples.

As was discussed above, in the array 1300 a, the ramp or camming member764 of the sled or camming actuator 760 is aligned with the second camaxis SCA. Likewise, the ramp or camming member 762 is aligned with thefirst cam axis FCA. The ramp or camming member 766 is aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA and the ramp or camming member 768 is aligned withthe secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, the ramp or camming member 764 isaligned with a portion of each of the crowns 827 c of staples 820 c and820 cd. The ramp or camming member 762 is aligned with a portion of eachof the crowns 827 a of staples 820 a as well as the crown 827 c of theproximal most staple 820 cp. Likewise, in the array 1300 b of the stapledrivers 1000 b, 900 b, 1310 b, the ramp or camming member 766 is alignedwith a portion of the crowns 827 a of each of the staples 820 a as wellas a portion of the crown 827 c of the proximal most staple 820 cp. Theramp or camming member 768 is aligned with a portion of the crown 827 cof each of the staples 820 c as well as a portion of the crown 827 c ofthe distal most staple 820 cd. Stated another way, none of the ramps orcamming members 764, 762, 766, 768 are aligned with any of the staplelegs of the staples 820 a, 820 b, 820 c, 820 cd and 820 cp. Sucharrangement therefore enables the third proximal support columns 958 ofeach of the staple drivers 900 a, as well as the proximal support column1018 of the distal staple driver 1000 a, as well as the support column1378 of the proximal staple driver 1310 a to be slidably received withincorresponding second support grooves or slots 858 in the secondcartridge wall portion 856 of the cartridge body 802. Likewise, thefirst distal support columns 914 of each of the staple drivers 900 a, aswell as the support columns 1324, 1394 of the proximal staple driver1310 a are all slidably received within corresponding first supportgrooves or slots 854 in the first cartridge wall portion 852 of thecartridge 800. In the staple driver array 1300 a, each of the supportcolumns 1014, 918, 934, 938, 954, 1328, 1354, 1358, 1374, 1398 are alsoslidably supported in corresponding driver guides 860D, 860, 860P thatare formed in the cartridge body 802 and may have the same heights orsimilar heights as the heights of the wall portions 852, 856.

Other staple driver arrays 1500 a, 1500 b are illustrated in FIGS. 33and 34. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 1500 aemploys a plurality of staple drivers 1510 a that operably supportsthree staples. The staple driver array 1500 a also includes a distalstaple driver 1610 a that operably supports two staples. Likewise,staple driver array 1500 b includes a plurality of staple drivers 1510 band a distal staple driver 1610 b. Staple drivers 1510 b may be mirrorimages of staple drivers 1510 a and include the same features. Distalstaple drivers 1610 b may be mirror images of staple drivers 1610 a andinclude the same features.

FIGS. 35-37 illustrate one exemplary form of a staple driver 1510 a withit being understood that, in at least one arrangement, a staple driver1510 b essentially contains the same features as a staple driver 1510 aand may be a mirror image thereof. Each staple driver 1510 a, 1510 bcomprises a staple driver body 1511. In the illustrated arrangement, thedriver body 1511 includes a first or innermost staple support portion1520 that is configured to support a staple 820 a thereon, a second orcentral staple support portion 1550 that is configured to support astaple 820 b thereon and a third support portion 1570 that is configuredto support a staple 820 c thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 35, the firststaple support portion 1520 comprises a first distal support column 1524and a first proximal support column 1528. The first staple supportportion 1520 further includes a first distal support cradle 1526 and afirst proximal support cradle 1530 for supporting portions of the staplecrown 827 a of a staple 820 a. As can be seen in FIG. 31, when thestaple crown 827 a of the staple 820 a is supported on the supportcradles 1526 and 1530, the distal leg 823 a is essentially axiallyaligned with the first distal support column 1524 and the first proximalleg 825 a is essentially axially aligned with the first proximal supportcolumn 1528. When the staple 820 a is supported on the first staplesupport portion 1520, the staple crown 827 a is aligned on a first baseaxis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, the proximal staple driver 1510 afurther comprises second staple support portion 1550 that comprises asecond distal support column 1554 and a second proximal support column1558. The second staple support portion 1550 further includes a seconddistal support cradle 1556 and a second proximal support cradle 1560 forsupporting portions of a staple crown 827 b of a staple 820 b therein.As can be seen in FIG. 36, when the staple crown 827 b of the staple 820b is supported in the cradles 1556, 1560, the distal leg 823 b isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 1554and the proximal leg 825 b is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 1558. When the staple 820 b is supportedon the second staple support portion 1550, the staple crown 827 b isaligned on a second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thesecond base axis SBA is transverse to the first base axis FBA.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 35 and 36, the proximal staple driver 1510a comprises a third staple support portion 1570 that includes a thirddistal support column 1574 and a third proximal support column 1578. Thethird staple support portion 1570 further includes a third distalsupport cradle 1576 and a third proximal support cradle 1580 configuredto support portions of a staple crown 827 c of a third staple 820 ctherein. As can be seen in FIG. 31, when the crown 827 c of the staple820 c is supported in the cradles 1576, 1580, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the distal support column 1574 and theproximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with the thirdproximal support column 1578. When the staple 820 c is supported on thethird staple support portion 1570, the staple crown 827 c is aligned ona third base axis TBA. In the illustrated arrangement, the third baseaxis TBA is parallel to the first base axis FBA and transverse to thesecond base axis SBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 35-37, in at least one arrangement, the firststaple support portion 1520, the second staple support portion 1550 andthe third staple support portion 1570 are all coupled together by aconnector portion 1590. In at least one arrangement, the connectorportion 1590 is formed with a centrally disposed opening or aperture1592 that is configured to slidably receive a corresponding first driverguide 1700 therein. See FIG. 34. The connector portion 1590 is formedwith a first hook-shaped slot 1594 that is adapted to be hookinglyengage by a hooked shaped portion 1702 on the first driver guide 1700.The hook shaped portion 1702 is adapted to slidably support the supportcolumn 1574 therein. In addition, as can be further seen in FIG. 34,each first driver guide 1700 includes a slot 1704 that is configured toslidably receive the second proximal support column 1558 of thecorresponding staple driver 1510 a therein. Each staple driver 1510 a isalso configured to slidably engage a second driver guide 1720 as shownin FIG. 34. Each second driver guide 1720 includes a first slot 1722that is configured to slidably receive therein a first proximal supportcolumn 1528 of a corresponding staple driver 1510 a. In addition, eachsecond driver guide 1720 further has a second slot 1724 that isconfigured to slidably receive therein a second distal support column1554 of the corresponding staple driver 1510 a therein.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 35 and 36, the connector portion 1590includes a first cam portion 1596 that has a first camming surface orramp 1598 formed thereon. The connector portion 1590 also includes asecond cam portion 1600 that has a second a second camming surface 1602formed thereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 1598,1602 have the same slope or angle or they may have differentslopes/angles. In at least one embodiment, each staple driver 1510 a,1510 b is integrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®,with no fill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® witha glass or mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could beused. In other arrangements, the various portions of the proximal stapledrivers 1510 a, 1510 b may be separately fabricated from other materialsand be attached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

The staple driver array 1500 a in the illustrated embodiment alsocomprises a distal staple driver 1610 a that is configured to operablysupport two staples. FIGS. 38-40 illustrate one exemplary form of adistal staple driver 1610 a with it being understood that, in at leastone arrangement, a staple driver 1610 b essentially contains the samefeatures as a staple driver 1610 a and may be a mirror image thereof.Each staple driver 1610 a, 1610 b includes a driver body 1611. In theillustrated arrangement, each driver body 1611 includes a first staplesupport portion 1620 that is configured to support a staple 820 athereon and a second staple support portion 1650 that is configured tosupport a staple 820 c thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 30, the firststaple support portion 1620 comprises a first distal support column 1624and a first proximal support column 1628. The first staple supportportion 1620 further includes a first distal support cradle 1626 and afirst proximal support cradle 1630 for supporting portions of the firststaple crown 827 a. As can be seen in FIG. 39, when the staple crown 827a of the staple 820 a is supported on the support cradles 1626 and 1630,the distal leg 823 a is essentially axially aligned with the firstdistal support column 1624 and the proximal leg 825 a is essentiallyaxially aligned with the first proximal support column 1628. When thestaple 820 a is supported on the first staple support portion 1620, thestaple crown 827 a is aligned on a first base axis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 38 and 39, the distal staple driver 1610 afurther comprises second staple support portion 1650 that comprises asecond distal support column 1654 and a second proximal support column1658. The second staple support portion 1650 further includes a seconddistal support cradle 1656 and a second proximal support cradle 1660 forsupporting portions of the staple crown 827 c of a staple 820 c therein.As can be seen in FIG. 39, when the staple crown 827 c of the staple 820c is supported in the cradles 1656, 1660, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 1654and the proximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 1658. When the staple 820 c is supportedon the second staple support portion 1650, the staple crown 827 c isaligned on a second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thesecond base axis SBA is parallel to the first base axis FBA.

In at least one arrangement, the first staple support portion 1620 andthe second staple support portion 1650 of the distal staple driver 1610a are coupled together by a connector portion 1690. In at least onearrangement, the driver body portion 1690 is formed with a centrallydisposed opening or aperture 1692 that is configured to slidably receivea corresponding distal driver guide 1730 d therein. See FIG. 34. Thedistal driver guide 1730 d includes a slot 1732 that is configured toslidably receive the first distal support column 1624 of the distalstaple driver 1610 a therein. The distal staple driver 1610 a is alsoconfigured to slidably engage the distal most second driver guide 1720 das shown in FIG. 34. The distal most second staple driver guide 1720 dincludes a first slot 1722 d that is configured to slidably receivetherein the first proximal support column 1628 of the distal stapledriver 1610 a. In addition, the distal most second staple driver guide1720 d further has a second slot 1724 d that is configured to slidablyreceive therein a second distal support column 1554 of the correspondingstaple driver 1510 a therein.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 39 and 40, the connector portion 1690includes a first cam portion 1694 that has a first camming surface orramp 1696 formed thereon. The connector portion 1690 also includes asecond cam portion 1698 that has a second camming surface 1700 formedthereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 1696, 1700have the same slope or angle or they may have different slopes/angles.In at least one embodiment, each distal driver 1610 a, 1610 b isintegrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®, with nofill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® with a glassor mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could be used. Inother arrangements, the various portions of the distal drivers 1610 a,1610 b may be separately fabricated from other materials and be attachedtogether by adhesive, solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 33, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 1500 a in the illustrated arrangement, the first cam portion 1596of each of the staple drivers 1510 a and the cam portion 1694 of thedistal staple driver 1610 a are all axially aligned along a first camaxis FCA. Thus the camming surface 1598 of each of the drivers 1510 aand the camming surface 1696 of the distal driver 1610 a are axiallyaligned along the first cam axis FCA. The second cam portion 1600 ofeach of the drivers 1510 a and the cam portion 1698 of the distal stapledriver 1610 a are all aligned along a second cam axis SCA. Thus, in atleast one embodiment, the camming surface 1602 of each of the drivers1510 a and the camming surface 1700 of the distal driver 1610 a areaxially aligned on the second cam axis SCA. Also in the illustratedstaple driver array 1500 b, the cam portion 1596 of each of the drivers1510 b and the cam portion 1694 of the distal driver 1610 b are allaligned along a primary cam axis PCA. Thus, the camming surface 1598 ofeach of the drivers 1510 b and the camming surface 1696 of the distaldriver 1610 b are axially aligned along the primary cam axis PCA. Stillreferring to FIG. 33, in the staple driver array 1500 b of theillustrated arrangement, the cam portion 1600 of each of the drivers1510 b and the cam portion 1698 of the distal driver 1610 b are allaligned along a secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, in at least oneembodiment, the camming surface 1602 of each of the drivers 1510 b andthe camming surface 1700 of the distal driver 1610 b are axially alignedon the secondary cam axis SDCA.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 33, when the drivers 1510 aand 1610 a are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in thestaple driver array 1500 a, the staple drivers 1510 a, 1610 a form afirst longitudinal row 1750 a of staples 820 a that is adjacent toelongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 ain the first longitudinal row 1750 a extend in a first direction as wasdescribed above. Likewise, the drivers 1510 a form a second longitudinalrow 1760 a of staples 820 b that are adjacent the first longitudinal row1750 a. The staples 820 b in the second longitudinal row 1760 a extendin a second direction that is different from the first direction of thestaples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 1750 a. In addition, thedrivers 1510 a and 1610 a form a third longitudinal row 1770 a ofstaples 820 c that are oriented in a third direction which may or maynot be in the same direction as staples 820 a. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the first and third directions are the same. Thethird longitudinal row 1770 a is adjacent to the second longitudinal row1760 a.

Still referring to FIG. 33, when the staple drivers 1510 b and 1610 bare all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the staple driverarray 1500 b, the staple drivers 1510 b and 1610 b form a primarylongitudinal row 1750 b of staples 820 a that is adjacent to elongateslot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 a in theprimary longitudinal row 1750 b extend in a first direction as wasdescribed above. Likewise, the staple drivers 1510 b form a secondarylongitudinal row 1760 b of staples 820 b that are adjacent the primarylongitudinal row 1750 b. The staples 820 b in the secondary longitudinalrow 1760 b extend in a second direction that is different from the firstdirection of the staples 820 a in the primary longitudinal row 1750 b.In addition, the staple drivers 1510 b and 1610 b form a tertiarylongitudinal row 1770 b of staples 820 c that are oriented in a thirddirection which may or may not be in the same direction as staples 820a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and thirddirections are the same. The tertiary longitudinal row 1770 b isadjacent to the secondary longitudinal row 1760 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 1500 a, 1500 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the distal driver 1610 a supports two distal most staples inthe longitudinal rows 1750 a, 1770 a that each extend in the samedirection. Similarly, the proximal most driver 1510 a supports twoproximal most staples in the longitudinal rows 1550 a and 1570 a ofstaples that extend in the same direction. Likewise, distal driver 1610b supports two distal most staples in the longitudinal rows 1750 b, 1770b of staples that extend in the same direction. Such staple pattern mayprovide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends of each line ofstaples. As used in this context, the term “line of staples”collectively refers to the longitudinal rows of staples on one side ofthe elongate slot 804 in the staple cartridge body 802. For example,line of staples, generally designated as 1780 a, collectively refers tothe longitudinal rows 1750 a, 1760 a, 1770 a of staples. Line of staples1780 b collectively refers to the longitudinal rows 1750 b, 1760 b, 1770b of staples.

As was discussed above, in the array 1500 a, the ramp or camming surface764 of the sled or camming actuator 760 is aligned with the second camaxis SCA. Likewise, the ramp or camming member 762 is aligned with thefirst cam axis FCA. The ramp or camming member 766 is aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA and the ramp or camming member 768 is aligned withthe secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, the ramp or camming member 764 isaligned with a portion of each of the crowns 827 c of staples 820 c. Theramp or camming member 762 is aligned with a portion of each of thecrowns 827 a of staples 820 a. Likewise, in the array 1500 b of thestaple drivers 1510 b, 1610 b, the ramp or camming member 766 is alignedwith a portion of the crowns 827 a of each of the staples 820 a. Theramp or camming member 768 is aligned with a portion of the crown 827 cof each of the staples 820 c. Stated another way, none of the ramps orcamming members 764, 762, 766, 768 are aligned with any of the staplelegs of the staples 820 a, 820 c. Such arrangement therefore enables thethird proximal support columns 1578 of each of the staple drivers 1510a, as well as the proximal support column 1658 of the distal stapledriver 1610 a to be slidably received within corresponding secondsupport grooves or slots 858 in the second cartridge wall portion 856 ofthe cartridge body 802. Likewise, the first distal support columns 1524of each of the staple drivers 1510 a, as well as the support column 1624of the distal staple driver 1610 a are all slidably received withincorresponding first support grooves or slots 854 in the first cartridgewall portion 852 of the cartridge 800. In the staple driver array 1500a, each of the support columns 1654, 1628, 1554, 1558, 1574, 1528 arealso slidably supported in corresponding driver guides 1700, 1720, 1730d that are formed in the cartridge body 802 and may have the sameheights or similar heights as the heights of the cartridge wall portions852, 856.

Other staple driver arrays 1800 a, 1800 b are illustrated in FIGS. 41and 42. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 1800 aemploys a plurality of staple drivers 1810 a that operably supportsthree staples. The staple driver array 1800 a also includes a proximalstaple driver 1910 a that operably supports two staples. Likewise,staple driver array 1800 b includes a plurality of staple drivers 1810 band a proximal staple driver 1910 b. Staple drivers 1810 b may be mirrorimages of staple drivers 1810 a and include the same features. Proximalstaple drivers 1910 b may be mirror images of staple drivers 1910 a andinclude the same features.

FIGS. 43-45 illustrate one exemplary form of a staple driver 1810 a withit being understood that, in at least one arrangement, a staple driver1810 b essentially contains the same features as a staple driver 1810 aand may be a mirror image thereof. Each staple driver 1810 a, 1810 bcomprises a staple driver body 1811. In the illustrated arrangement, thedriver body 1811 includes a first or innermost staple support portion1820 that is configured to support a staple 820 a thereon, a second orcentral staple support portion 1850 that is configured to support astaple 820 b thereon and a third support portion 1870 that is configuredto support a staple 820 c thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 43, the firststaple support portion 1820 comprises a first distal support column 1824and a first proximal support column 1828. The first staple supportportion 1820 further includes a first distal support cradle 1826 and afirst proximal support cradle 1830 for supporting portions of the staplecrown 827 a of a staple 820 a. As can be seen in FIG. 44, when thestaple crown 827 a of the staple 820 a is supported on the supportcradles 1826 and 1830, the distal leg 823 a is essentially axiallyaligned with the first distal support column 1824 and the first proximalleg 825 a is essentially axially aligned with the first proximal supportcolumn 1828. When the staple 820 a is supported on the first staplesupport portion 1820, the staple crown 827 a is aligned on a first baseaxis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, the staple driver 1810 a furthercomprises second staple support portion 1850 that comprises a seconddistal support column 1854 and a second proximal support column 1858.The second staple support portion 1850 further includes a second distalsupport cradle 1856 and a second proximal support cradle 1860 forsupporting portions of a staple crown 827 b of a staple 820 b therein.As can be seen in FIG. 44, when the staple crown 827 b of the staple 820b is supported in the cradles 1856, 1860, the distal leg 823 b isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 1854and the proximal leg 825 b is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 1858. When the staple 820 b is supportedon the second staple support portion 1850, the staple crown 827 b isaligned on a second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thesecond base axis SBA is transverse to the first base axis FBA. See FIG.43.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 43 and 44, the staple driver 1810 acomprises a third staple support portion 1870 that includes a thirddistal support column 1874 and a third proximal support column 1878. Thethird staple support portion 1870 further includes a third distalsupport cradle 1876 and a third proximal support cradle 1880 configuredto support portions of a staple crown 827 c of a third staple 820 ctherein. As can be seen in FIG. 44, when the crown 827 c of the staple820 c is supported in the cradles 1876, 1880, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the distal support column 1874 and theproximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with the thirdproximal support column 1878. When the staple 820 c is supported on thethird staple support portion 1870, the staple crown 827 c is aligned ona third base axis TBA. In the illustrated arrangement, the third baseaxis TBA is parallel to the first base axis FBA and transverse to thesecond base axis SBA. See FIG. 43.

Still referring to FIGS. 43-45, in at least one arrangement, the firststaple support portion 1820, the second staple support portion 1850 andthe third staple support portion 1870 are all coupled together by aconnector portion 1890. In at least one arrangement, the connectorportion 1890 is formed with a centrally disposed opening or aperture1892 that is configured to slidably receive a corresponding first driverguide 2000 therein. See FIG. 42. The connector portion 1890 is formedwith a first hook-shaped slot 1894 that is adapted to be hookinglyengaged by a hooked shaped portion 2002 on the first driver guide 2000.The hook shaped portion 2002 is adapted to slidably support the supportcolumn 1828 therein. In addition, as can be further seen in FIG. 42,each first driver guide 2000 includes a slot 2004 that is configured toslidably receive the support column 1878 of the corresponding stapledriver 1810 a therein. Each staple driver 1810 a is also configured toslidably engage a second driver guide 2020 as shown in FIG. 42. Eachsecond driver guide 2020 includes a first slot 2022 that is configuredto slidably receive therein a support column 1858 of a correspondingstaple driver 1810 a. In addition, each second driver guide 2020 furtherhas a second slot 2024 that is configured to slidably receive therein asupport column 1874 of the corresponding staple driver 1810 a therein.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 44 and 45, the connector portion 1890includes a first cam portion 1896 that has a first camming surface orramp 1898 formed thereon. The connector portion 1890 also includes asecond cam portion 1900 that has a second a second camming surface 1902formed thereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 1898,1902 have the same slope or angle or they may have differentslopes/angles. In at least one embodiment, each staple driver 1810 a,1810 b is integrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®,with no fill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® witha glass or mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could beused. In other arrangements, the various portions of the proximal stapledrivers 1810 a, 1810 b may be separately fabricated from other materialsand be attached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

The staple driver array 1800 a in the illustrated embodiment alsocomprises a proximal staple driver 1910 a that is configured to operablysupport two staples. FIGS. 46-48 illustrate one exemplary form of adistal staple driver 1910 a with it being understood that, in at leastone arrangement, a staple driver 1910 b essentially contains the samefeatures as a staple driver 1910 a and may be a mirror image thereof.Each staple driver 1910 a, 1910 b includes a driver body 1911. In theillustrated arrangement, each driver body 1911 includes a first staplesupport portion 1920 that is configured to support a staple 820 athereon and a second staple support portion 1950 that is configured tosupport a staple 820 c thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 46, the firststaple support portion 1920 comprises a first distal support column 1924and a first proximal support column 1928. The first staple supportportion 1920 further includes a first distal support cradle 1926 and afirst proximal support cradle 1930 for supporting portions of the firststaple crown 827 a. As can be seen in FIG. 47, when the staple crown 827a of the staple 820 a is supported on the support cradles 1926 and 1930,the distal leg 823 a is essentially axially aligned with the firstdistal support column 1924 and the proximal leg 825 a is essentiallyaxially aligned with the first proximal support column 1928. When thestaple 820 a is supported on the first staple support portion 1920, thestaple crown 827 a is aligned on a first base axis FBA. See FIG. 47.

Still referring to FIGS. 46 and 47, the distal staple driver 1910 afurther comprises second staple support portion 1950 that comprises asecond distal support column 1954 and a second proximal support column1958. The second staple support portion 1950 further includes a seconddistal support cradle 1956 and a second proximal support cradle 1960 forsupporting portions of the staple crown 827 c of a staple 820 c therein.As can be seen in FIG. 47, when the staple crown 827 c of the staple 820c is supported in the cradles 1956, 1960, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 1954and the proximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 1958. When the staple 820 c is supportedon the second staple support portion 1950, the staple crown 827 c isaligned on a second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thesecond base axis SBA is parallel to the first base axis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 46-48, in at least one arrangement, the firststaple support portion 1920 and the second staple support portion 1950of the proximal staple driver 1910 a are coupled together by a connectorportion 1990. In at least one arrangement, the connector portion 1990 isformed to slidably mate with a proximal most second driver guide 2020P.See FIG. 42. The support column 1954 of the proximal driver 1910 a isconfigured to be slidably supported in the slot 2024 in the proximalmost second driver guide 2020P.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 47 and 48, the connector portion 1990includes a first cam portion 1992 that has a first camming surface orramp 1994 formed thereon. The connector portion 1990 also includes asecond cam portion 1996 that has a second camming surface 1998 formedthereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 1994, 1998have the same slope or angle or they may have different slopes/angles.In at least one embodiment, each proximal driver 1910 a, 1910 b isintegrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®, with nofill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® with a glassor mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could be used. Inother arrangements, the various portions of the distal drivers 1910 a,1910 b may be separately fabricated from other materials and be attachedtogether by adhesive, solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 41, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 1800 a in the illustrated arrangement, the cam portion 1896 ofeach of the staple drivers 1810 a and the cam portion 1992 of theproximal staple driver 1910 a are all axially aligned along a first camaxis FCA. Thus the camming surface 1994 of each of the drivers 1910 aand the camming surface 1994 of the proximal driver 1910 a are axiallyaligned along the first cam axis FCA. The second cam portion 1900 ofeach of the drivers 1910 a and the cam portion 1996 of the proximalstaple driver 1910 a are all aligned along a second cam axis SCA. Thus,in at least one embodiment, the camming surface 1902 of each of thedrivers 1910 a and the camming surface 1998 of the proximal driver 1910a are axially aligned on the second cam axis SCA. Also in theillustrated staple driver array 1900 b, the cam portion 1896 of each ofthe drivers 1810 b and the cam portion 1992 of the proximal driver 1910b are all aligned along a primary cam axis PCA. Thus, the cammingsurface 1898 of each of the drivers 1810 b and the camming surface 1994of the proximal driver 1910 b are axially aligned along the primary camaxis PCA. Still referring to FIG. 41, in the staple driver array 1800 bof the illustrated arrangement, the cam portion 1900 of each of thedrivers 1810 b and the cam portion 1996 of the proximal driver 1910 bare all aligned along a secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, in at least oneembodiment, the camming surface 1902 of each of the drivers 1810 b andthe camming surface 1998 of the proximal driver 1910 b are axiallyaligned on the secondary cam axis SDCA.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 41, when the drivers 1810 aand 1910 a are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in thestaple driver array 1800 a, the staple drivers 1810 a, 1910 a form afirst longitudinal row 2050 a of staples 820 a that is adjacent toelongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 ain the first longitudinal row 2050 a extend in a first direction as wasdescribed above. Likewise, the drivers 1810 a form a second longitudinalrow 2060 a of staples 820 b that are adjacent the first longitudinal row2050 a. The staples 820 b in the second longitudinal row 2060 a extendin a second direction that is different from the first direction of thestaples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 2050 a. In addition, thedrivers 1810 a and 1910 a form a third longitudinal row 2070 a ofstaples 820 c that are oriented in a third direction which may or maynot be in the same direction as staples 820 a. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the first and third directions are the same. Thethird longitudinal row 2070 a is adjacent to the second longitudinal row2070 a.

Still referring to FIG. 41, when the staple drivers 1810 b and 1910 bare all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the staple driverarray 1800 b, the staple drivers 1810 b and 1910 b form a primarylongitudinal row 2050 b of staples 820 a that is adjacent to elongateslot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 a in theprimary longitudinal row 2050 b extend in a first direction as wasdescribed above. Likewise, the staple drivers 1810 b form a secondarylongitudinal row 2060 b of staples 820 b that are adjacent the primarylongitudinal row 2050 b. The staples 820 b in the secondary longitudinalrow 2060 b extend in a second direction that is different from the firstdirection of the staples 820 a in the primary longitudinal row 2050 b.In addition, the staple drivers 1810 b and 1910 b form a tertiarylongitudinal row 2070 b of staples 820 c that are oriented in a thirddirection which may or may not be in the same direction as staples 820a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and thirddirections are the same. The tertiary longitudinal row 2070 b isadjacent to the secondary longitudinal row 2060 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 1800 a, 1800 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the proximal driver 1910 a supports two distal most staplesin the longitudinal rows 2050 a, 2070 a that each extend in the samedirection. Similarly, the distal most driver 1810 a supports twoproximal most staples in the longitudinal rows 2050 a and 2070 a ofstaples that extend in the same direction. Such staple pattern mayprovide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends of each line ofstaples. As used in this context, the term “line of staples”collectively refers to the longitudinal rows of staples on one side ofthe elongate slot 804 in the staple cartridge body 802. For example,line of staples, generally designated as 2080 a, collectively refers tothe longitudinal rows 2050 a, 2060 a, 2070 a of staples. Line of staples2080 b collectively refers to the longitudinal rows 2050 b, 2060 b, 2070b of staples.

As was discussed above, in the array 1800 a, the ramp or camming member764 of the sled or camming actuator 760 is aligned with the second camaxis SCA. Likewise, the ramp or camming member 762 is aligned with thefirst cam axis FCA. The ramp or camming member 766 is aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA and the ramp or camming member 768 is aligned withthe secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, the ramp or camming member 764 isaligned with a portion of each of the crowns 827 c of staples 820 c. Theramp or camming member 762 is aligned with a portion of each of thecrowns 827 a of staples 820 a. Likewise, in the array 1800 b of thestaple drivers 1810 b, 1910 b, the ramp or camming member 766 is alignedwith a portion of the crowns 827 a of each of the staples 820 a. Theramp or camming member 768 is aligned with a portion of the crown 827 cof each of the staples 820 c. Stated another way, none of the ramps orcamming members 764, 762, 766, 768 are aligned with any of the staplelegs of the staples 820 a, 820 c. Such arrangement therefore enables thethird proximal support columns 1878 of each of the staple drivers 1810a, as well as the proximal support column 1958 of the proximal stapledriver 1910 a to be slidably received within corresponding secondsupport grooves or slots 858 in the second cartridge wall portion 856 ofthe cartridge body 802. Likewise, the first distal support columns 1824of each of the staple drivers 1810 a, as well as the support column 1924of the proximal staple driver 1910 a are all slidably received withincorresponding first support grooves or slots 854 in the first cartridgewall portion 852 of the cartridge 800. In the staple driver array 1800a, each of the support columns 1874, 1828, 1854, 1858, 1954, 1928 arealso slidably supported in corresponding driver guides 2000, 2020, 2020Pthat are formed in the cartridge body 802.

Other staple driver arrays 2100 a, 2100 b are illustrated in FIGS. 49and 50. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 2100 aemploys a plurality of staple drivers 2110 a that operably support fivestaples and a plurality of drivers 2310 a that operably support fourstaples. Likewise, staple driver array 2100 b includes a plurality ofstaple drivers 2310 b and a distal staple driver 2310 b. Staple drivers2110 b may be mirror images of staple drivers 2110 a and include thesame features. Staple drivers 2310 b may be mirror images of stapledrivers 2310 a and include the same features.

FIGS. 51-53 illustrate one exemplary form of a staple driver 2110 a withit being understood that, in at least one arrangement, a staple driver2110 b essentially contains the same features as a staple driver 2110 aand may be a mirror image thereof. Each staple driver 2110 a, 2110 bcomprises a staple driver body 2111. In the illustrated arrangement, thedriver body 2111 includes a first staple support portion 2120 that isconfigured to support a staple 820 a thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 51,the first staple support portion 2120 comprises a first distal supportcolumn 2124 and a first proximal support column 2128. The first staplesupport portion 2120 further includes a first distal support cradle 2126and a first proximal support cradle 2130 for supporting portions of thestaple crown 827 a of a corresponding staple 820 a thereon. As can beseen in FIG. 52, when the staple crown 827 a of the staple 820 a issupported on the support cradles 2126 and 2130, the distal leg 823 a isessentially axially aligned with the first distal support column 2124and the first proximal leg 825 a is essentially axially aligned with thefirst proximal support column 2128. When the staple 820 a is supportedon the first staple support portion 2120, the staple crown 827 a isaligned on a first base axis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 51 and 52, the staple driver 2110 a furthercomprises a primary staple support portion 2140 that comprises a seconddistal support column 2142 and a second proximal support column 2146.The second staple support portion 2140 further includes a second distalsupport cradle 2144 and a second proximal support cradle 2148 forsupporting portions of a staple crown 827 c of a staple 820 c therein.As can be seen in FIG. 52, when the staple crown 827 c of the staple 820c is supported in the cradles 2144, 2148, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 2142and the proximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 2146. When the staple 820 c is supportedon the primary staple support portion 2140, the staple crown 827 c isaligned on a primary base axis PBA. In the illustrated arrangement, theprimary base axis PBA is parallel to the first base axis FBA. See FIG.51.

The staple driver 2110 a further comprises second staple support portion2150 that comprises a second distal support column 2154 and a secondproximal support column 2158. The second staple support portion 2150further includes a second distal support cradle 2156 and a secondproximal support cradle 2160 for supporting portions of a staple crown827 b of a staple 820 b therein. As can be seen in FIG. 52, when thestaple crown 827 b of the staple 820 b is supported in the cradles 2156,2160, the distal leg 823 b is essentially axially aligned with thesecond distal support column 2154 and the proximal leg 825 b isessentially axially aligned with the second proximal support column2158. When the staple 820 b is supported on the second staple supportportion 2150, the staple crown 827 b is aligned on a second base axisSBA. In the illustrated arrangement, the second base axis SBA istransverse to the first base axis FBA and the primary base axis PBA. SeeFIG. 51.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 51 and 52, the staple driver 2110 acomprises a third staple support portion 2160 that includes a thirddistal support column 2162 and a third proximal support column 2166. Thethird staple support portion 2160 further includes a third distalsupport cradle 2164 and a third proximal support cradle 2168 configuredto support portions of a staple crown 827 a of a staple 820 a therein.As can be seen in FIG. 52, when the crown 827 a of the staple 820 a issupported in the cradles 2164, 2168, the distal leg 823 a is essentiallyaxially aligned with the distal support column 2162 and the proximal leg825 a is essentially axially aligned with the third proximal supportcolumn 2166. When the staple 820 a is supported on the third staplesupport portion 2160, the staple crown 827 a is aligned on a third baseaxis TBA. In the illustrated arrangement, the third base axis TBA isparallel to the first base axis FBA and the primary base axis PBA andtransverse to the second base axis SBA. See FIG. 51.

As can be further seen in FIGS. 51 and 52, the staple driver 2110 acomprises a fourth staple support portion 2170 that includes a fourthdistal support column 2172 and a fourth proximal support column 2176.The fourth staple support portion 2170 further includes a fourth distalsupport cradle 2174 and a fourth proximal support cradle 2178 configuredto support portions of a staple crown 827 c of a staple 820 c therein.As can be seen in FIG. 52, when the crown 827 c of the staple 820 c issupported in the cradles 2174, 2178, the distal leg 823 c is essentiallyaxially aligned with the distal support column 2172 and the proximal leg825 c is essentially axially aligned with the fourth proximal supportcolumn 2176. When the staple 820 c is supported on the fourth staplesupport portion 2160, the staple crown 827 a is aligned on a fourth baseaxis FTBA. In the illustrated arrangement, the fourth base axis FTBA isparallel to the first base axis FBA, the primary base axis PBA and thethird base axis TBA and is transverse to the second base axis SBA. SeeFIG. 51.

Still referring to FIGS. 51-53, in at least one arrangement, the firststaple support portion 2120, the primary staple support portion 2140,the second staple support portion 2150, the third staple support portion2160 and the fourth staple support portion 2170 are all coupled togetherby a connector portion 2190. In at least one arrangement, the connectorportion 2190 is formed with a first opening or aperture 2191 that isconfigured to slidably receive a corresponding first driver guide 2200therein as will be further discussed below. See FIGS. 50 and 50A. Theconnector portion 2190 is formed with a first hook-shaped slot 2192 thatis adapted to hookingly engage a hooked shaped portion 2202 on the firstdriver guide 2200. In one instance, the hook shaped portion 2202 has aslot 2204 that is adapted to slidably support a corresponding supportcolumn 2172 therein. See FIG. 50A. In another instance, the slot 2204 isconfigured to receive a corresponding support portion 2144 therein asshown in FIG. 50A. In addition, as can be further seen in FIG. 50A, eachfirst driver guide 2200 includes a slot 2206 that is configured toslidably receive the support column 2156 of the corresponding stapledriver 2110 a therein. As can be seen in FIGS. 50A and 51, the connectorportion 2190 further has a second opening 2194 therethrough that isconfigured to slidably engage a second driver guide 2220. Each seconddriver guide 2220 includes a first hook shaped portion 2222 that has aslot 2224 therein. In one instance, the slot 2224 is configured toslidably receive therein a support column 2128 of a corresponding stapledriver 2110 a. In addition, each second driver guide 2220 further has asecond slot 2226 that is configured, in one instance, to slidablyreceive therein a support column 2152 of the corresponding staple driver2110 a therein.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 52 and 53, the connector portion 2190includes a first cam portion 2195 that has a first camming surface orramp 2196 formed thereon. The connector portion 2190 also includes asecond cam portion 2197 that has a second a second camming surface 2198formed thereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 2196,2198 have the same slope or angle or they may have differentslopes/angles. In at least one embodiment, each staple driver 2110 a,2110 b is integrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®,with no fill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® witha glass or mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could beused. In other arrangements, the various portions of the proximal stapledrivers 2110 a, 2110 b may be separately fabricated from other materialsand be attached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

The staple driver array 2100 a in the illustrated embodiment alsocomprises a second staple driver 2310 a that is configured to operablysupport four staples. FIGS. 54-56 illustrate one exemplary form of adistal staple driver 2310 a with it being understood that, in at leastone arrangement, a staple driver 2310 b essentially contains the samefeatures as a staple driver 2310 a and may be a mirror image thereof.Each staple driver 2310 a, 2310 b includes a driver body 2311. In theillustrated arrangement, each driver body 2311 includes a first staplesupport portion 2320 that is configured to support a staple 820 athereon, a second staple support portion 2330 that is configured tosupport a staple 820 b thereon, a third staple support portion 2340 thatis configured to operably support another staple 820 b thereon and afourth staple support portion 2350 that is configured to operablysupport a staple 820 c thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 54, the firststaple support portion 2320 comprises a first distal support column 2322and a first proximal support column 2326. The first staple supportportion 2320 further includes a first distal support cradle 2324 and afirst proximal support cradle 2328 for supporting portions of the firststaple crown 827 a. As can be seen in FIG. 55, when the staple crown 827a of the staple 820 a is supported on the support cradles 2324 and 2328,the distal leg 823 a is essentially axially aligned with the firstdistal support column 2322 and the proximal leg 825 a is essentiallyaxially aligned with the first proximal support column 2326. When thestaple 820 a is supported on the first staple support portion 1620, thestaple crown 827 a is aligned on a first base axis FBA. See FIG. 54.

Still referring to FIGS. 54 and 55, the second staple driver 2310 afurther comprises second staple support portion 2330 that comprises asecond distal support column 2332 and a second proximal support column2326. The second staple support portion 2330 further includes a seconddistal support cradle 2334 and a second proximal support cradle 2338 forsupporting portions of the staple crown 827 b of a staple 820 b therein.As can be seen in FIG. 55, when the staple crown 827 b of the staple 820b is supported in the cradles 2334, 2338, the distal leg 823 b isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 2332and the proximal leg 825 b is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 2336. When the staple 820 b is supportedon the second staple support portion 2330, the staple crown 827 b isaligned on a second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thesecond base axis SBA is transverse to the first base axis FBA.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, the second staple driver 2310 afurther comprises a third staple support portion 2340 that comprises athird distal support column 2342 and a third proximal support column2346. The third staple support portion 2340 further includes a thirddistal support cradle 2344 and a third proximal support cradle 2348 forsupporting portions of the staple crown 827 b of another staple 820 btherein. As can be seen in FIG. 55, when the staple crown 827 b of theother staple 820 b is supported in the cradles 2344, 2348, the distalleg 823 b is essentially axially aligned with the third distal supportcolumn 2342 and the proximal leg 825 b is essentially axially alignedwith the third proximal support column 2346. When the other staple 820 bis supported on the third staple support portion 2340, the staple crown827 b is aligned on a third base axis TBA. In the illustratedarrangement, the third base axis TBA is parallel with the second baseaxis SBA and transverse to the first base axis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 54 and 55, the second staple driver 2310 afurther comprises fourth staple support portion 2350 that comprises afourth distal support column 2352 and a second proximal support column2356. The fourth staple support portion 2350 further includes a fourthdistal support cradle 2354 and a fourth proximal support cradle 2358 forsupporting portions of the staple crown 827 c of a staple 820 c therein.As can be seen in FIG. 55, when the staple crown 827 c of the staple 820c is supported in the cradles 2354, 2358, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the fourth distal support column 2352and the proximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with thefourth proximal support column 2356. When the staple 820 c is supportedon the fourth staple support portion 2350, the staple crown 827 c isaligned on a fourth base axis FTBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thefourth base axis FTBA is parallel to the first base axis FBA andtransverse to the second base axis SBA and the third base axis TBA.

In at least one arrangement, the first staple support portion 2320, thesecond staple support portion 2330, the third staple support portion2340 and the fourth staple support portion 2350 of the second stapledriver 2310 a are coupled together by a connector portion 2390. In theillustrated example, the connector portion 2390 is formed to slidablymate with a corresponding first staple guide 2200 and a second stapleguide 2220. In particular, the connector portion 2390 has a firstopening 2391 therein that is configured to slidably receive therein acorresponding first staple guide 2200 therein. When the staple driver2310 a slidably interfaces with the corresponding first staple guides2200, the support column 2346 is slidably received in the slot 2206 inthe corresponding first driver guide 2200. Likewise, the column 2336 isslidably received in the slot 2206 of another first driver guide 2200.In addition, an inverted first driver guide 22001 interfaces between thefirst and second drivers 2110 a and 2310 a. As can be seen in FIG. 50,the support column 2166 of the first driver guide 2110 a is slidablyreceived within the slot 2004 in the inverted first driver guide 22001and the support column 2332 of the corresponding second driver guide2310 a is slidably received within the slot 2206 of the inverted firstdriver guide 22001. In addition, the support column 2342 of the seconddriver guide 2310 a is slidably received within a slot 2226 in acorresponding second driver guide 2220 and the support column 2326 isslidably received within the slot 2224 in the corresponding seconddriver guide 2220.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 55 and 56, the connector portion 2390includes a first cam portion 2392 that has a first camming surface orramp 2394 formed thereon. The connector portion 2390 also includes asecond cam portion 2396 that has a second camming surface 2398 formedthereon. In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 2394, 2398have the same slope or angle or they may have different slopes/angles.In at least one embodiment, each second driver 2310 a, 2310 b isintegrally formed from or molded from, for example, Ultem®, with nofill. However, other materials such as, for example, Ultem® with a glassor mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with a glass file could be used. Inother arrangements, the various portions of the second drivers 2310 a,2310 b may be separately fabricated from other materials and be attachedtogether by adhesive, solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 49, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 2100 a in the illustrated arrangement, the cam portion 2195 ofeach of the first staple drivers 2110 a and the cam portion 2392 of eachof the second staple drivers 2310 a are all axially aligned along afirst cam axis FCA. Thus, the camming surface 2196 of each of the firstdrivers 2110 a and the camming surface 2394 of each of the seconddrivers 2310 a are axially aligned along the first cam axis FCA. As canalso be seen in FIG. 49, the second cam portion 2197 of each of thefirst drivers 2110 a and the cam portion 2396 of each of the secondstaple drivers 2310 a are all aligned along a second cam axis SCA. Thus,in at least one embodiment, the camming surface 2198 of each of thefirst drivers 2110 a and the camming surface 2398 of each of the seconddrivers 2310 a are axially aligned on the second cam axis SCA. Also inthe illustrated staple driver array 2100 b, the cam portion 2195 of eachof the first drivers 2110 b and the cam portion 2392 of each of thesecond drivers 2310 b are all aligned along a primary cam axis PCA.Thus, the camming surface 2196 of each of the first drivers 2110 b andthe camming surface 2394 of the each of the second drivers 2310 b areaxially aligned along the primary cam axis PCA. Still referring to FIG.49, in the staple driver array 2100 b of the illustrated arrangement,the cam portion 2197 of each of the first drivers 2110 b and the camportion 2396 of each of the second drivers 2310 b are all aligned alonga secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the cammingsurface 2198 of each of the first drivers 2110 b and the camming surface2398 of each of the second drivers 2310 b are axially aligned on thesecondary cam axis SDCA.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 49, when the first drivers2110 a and the second drivers 2310 a are all operably supported in thestaple cartridge in the staple driver array 2100 a, the staple drivers2110 a, 2310 a form a first longitudinal row 2450 a of staples that isadjacent to elongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of thestaples in the first longitudinal row 2450 a extends in a firstdirection as was described above. Likewise, the drivers 2110 a and 2310a form a second longitudinal row 2460 a of staples that are adjacent thefirst longitudinal row 2450 a. The staples in the second longitudinalrow 2460 a extend in a second direction that is different from the firstdirection of the staples in the first longitudinal row 2450 a. Inaddition, the drivers 2110 a and 2310 a form a third longitudinal row2470 a of staples that are oriented in a third direction which may ormay not be in the same direction as staples in the first longitudinalrow 2450 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first andthird directions are the same. The third longitudinal row 2470 a isadjacent to the second longitudinal row 2060 a.

Still referring to FIG. 49, when the staple drivers 2110 b and 2310 bare all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the staple driverarray 2100 b, the staple drivers 2110 b and 2310 b form a primarylongitudinal row 2450 b of staples that is adjacent to elongate slot 804in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples in the primarylongitudinal row 2050 b extend in a first direction as was describedabove. Likewise, the staple drivers 2110 b and 2310 b form a secondarylongitudinal row 2460 b of staples that are adjacent the primarylongitudinal row 2450 b. The staples in the secondary longitudinal row2460 b extend in a second direction that is different from the firstdirection of the staples in the primary longitudinal row 2450 b. Inaddition, the staple drivers 2110 b and 2310 b form a tertiarylongitudinal row 2470 b of staples that are oriented in a thirddirection which may or may not be in the same direction as staples inthe primary longitudinal row 2450 b. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the first and third directions are the same. The tertiarylongitudinal row 2470 b is adjacent to the secondary longitudinal row2460 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 2100 a, 2100 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the proximal most first driver 2110 a supports two proximalmost staples in the longitudinal rows 2450 a, 2470 a that each extendingin the same direction. Similarly, the distal most first driver 2110 asupports two proximal most staples in the longitudinal rows 2450 a and2470 a of staples that extend in the same direction. The same staplepatterns are also established in the staple driver array 2100 b. Suchstaple patterns may provide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends ofeach line of staples. As used in this context, the term “line ofstaples” collectively refers to the longitudinal rows of staples on oneside of the elongate slot 804 in the staple cartridge body 802. Forexample, line of staples, generally designated as 2480 a, collectivelyrefers to the longitudinal rows 2450 a, 2460 a, 2470 a of staples. Lineof staples 2480 b collectively refers to the longitudinal rows 2450 b,2460 b, 2470 b of staples.

As was discussed above, in the array 2100 a, the ramp or camming member764 of the sled or camming actuator 760 is aligned with the second camaxis SCA. Likewise, the ramp or camming member 762 is aligned with thefirst cam axis FCA. The ramp or camming member 766 is aligned on theprimary cam axis PCA and the ramp or camming member 768 is aligned withthe secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, the ramp or camming member 764 isaligned with a portion of each of the crowns of staples in thelongitudinal row 2470 a of staples. The ramp or camming member 762 isaligned with a portion of each of the crowns of the staples inlongitudinal row 2450 a. Likewise, in the array 2100 b of the stapledrivers 2110 b, 2310 b, the ramp or camming member 766 is aligned with aportion of the crowns of each of the staples in the longitudinal row2450 b of staples. The ramp or camming member 768 is aligned with aportion of the crown of each of the staples in longitudinal row 2470 bof staples. Stated another way, none of the ramps or camming members764, 762, 766, 768 are aligned with any of the staple legs of thestaples in longitudinal rows 2470 a, 2450 a, 2450 b, 2470 b. Sucharrangement therefore enables the support columns 2176 and 2146 of eachof the first drivers 2110 a as well as the support column 2356 of eachof the second drivers 2310 a to be slidably received withincorresponding second support grooves or slots 858 in the secondcartridge wall portion 856 of the cartridge body 802. Likewise, thecolumns 2162 and 2124 of each of the first drivers 2110 a as well as thesupport column 2322 of each of the second drivers 2310 a are allslidably received within corresponding first support grooves or slots854 in the first cartridge wall portion 852 of the cartridge 800. Theremaining support columns of each of the first and second drivers 2110a, 2310 a are all slidably received within corresponding driver guides2200, 2220, 22001. The same arrangement is achieved in the staple driverarray 2100 b.

Other staple driver arrays 2500 a, 2500 b are illustrated in FIGS. 57and 58. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 2500 ais similar to the staple driver array 2100 a described above, exceptthat the distal most driver in the array is a distal staple driver 2610a that is adjacent to a second staple driver 2310 a. Whereas, in thestaple driver array 2100 a, the first staple driver 2110 a is the distalmost driver. The distal staple driver 2610 a operably supports twostaples. Likewise, staple driver array 2500 b includes a plurality offirst staple drivers 2110 b and a plurality of second staple driver 2310b as well as a distal staple driver 2610 b. Staple driver 2610 b may bemirror images of staple driver 2610 a and include the same features.

FIGS. 59-61 illustrate one exemplary form of a distal staple driver 2610a with it being understood that, in at least one arrangement, a distalstaple driver 2610 b essentially contains the same features as a distalstaple driver 2610 a and may be a mirror image thereof. Each stapledriver 2610 a, 2610 b comprises a staple driver body 2611. In theillustrated arrangement, the driver body 2611 includes a first orinnermost staple support portion 2620 that is configured to support astaple 820 a thereon and a second or central staple support portion 2650that is configured to support a staple 820 c thereon. As can be seen inFIG. 59, the first staple support portion 2620 comprises a first distalsupport column 2622 and a first proximal support column 2626. The firststaple support portion 2620 further includes a first distal supportcradle 2624 and a first proximal support cradle 2628 for supportingportions of the staple crown 827 a of a staple 820 a. As can be seen inFIG. 60, when the staple crown 827 a of the staple 820 a is supported onthe support cradles 2624 and 2628, the distal leg 823 a is essentiallyaxially aligned with the first distal support column 2622 and the firstproximal leg 825 a is essentially axially aligned with the firstproximal support column 2626. When the staple 820 a is supported on thefirst staple support portion 2620, the staple crown 827 a is aligned ona first base axis FBA.

Still referring to FIGS. 59 and 60, the distal staple driver 2610 afurther comprises second staple support portion 2650 that comprises asecond distal support column 2652 and a second proximal support column2656. The second staple support portion 2650 further includes a seconddistal support cradle 2654 and a second proximal support cradle 2658 forsupporting portions of a staple crown 827 c of a staple 820 c therein.As can be seen in FIG. 60, when the staple crown 827 c of the staple 820c is supported in the cradles 2654, 2658, the distal leg 823 c isessentially axially aligned with the second distal support column 2652and the proximal leg 825 c is essentially axially aligned with thesecond proximal support column 2656. When the staple 820 c is supportedon the second staple support portion 2650, the staple crown 827 c isaligned on a second base axis SBA. In the illustrated arrangement, thesecond base axis SBA is parallel with the first base axis FBA.

In at least one arrangement, the first staple support portion 2620 andthe second staple support portion 2650 are coupled together by aconnector portion 2690 that is configured to slidably interface with theinverted driver guide 22001. As can be seen in FIG. 58, for example, thesupport column 2626 of the distal driver 2610 a is slidably receivedwithin the slot 2204 in the inverted driver guide 22001. As can also beseen in FIGS. 59-61, the connector portion 2690 includes a first camportion 2692 that has a first camming surface or ramp 2694 formedthereon. The connector portion 2690 also includes a second cam portion2696 that has a second a second camming surface 2698 formed thereon. Inat least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 2694, 2698 have the sameslope or angle or as the corresponding camming surfaces on the first andsecond drivers 2310 a, 2310 a. In at least one embodiment, each stapledriver 2610 a, 2610 b is integrally formed from or molded from, forexample, Ultem®, with no fill. However, other materials such as, forexample, Ultem® with a glass or mineral fill or Nylon or Nylon with aglass file could be used. In other arrangements, the various portions ofthe distal staple drivers 2610 a, 2610 b may be separately fabricatedfrom other materials and be attached together by adhesive, solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 57, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 2500 a in the illustrated arrangement, the cam portion 2195 ofeach of the first staple drivers 2110 a and the cam portion 2392 of eachof the second drivers 2310 a, as well as the cam portion 2692 of thedistal driver 2610 a are all axially aligned along a first cam axis FCA.Thus the camming surface 2196 of each of the first drivers 2110 a andthe camming surface 2394 of each of the second drivers 2310 a, as wellas the camming surface 2694 of the distal driver 2610 a are axiallyaligned along the first cam axis FCA. The cam portion 2197 of each ofthe first drivers 2110 a and the cam portion 2396 of each of the seconddrivers 2310 a, as well as the cam portion 2696 of the distal driver2610 a are all aligned along a second cam axis SCA. Thus, in at leastone embodiment, the camming surface 2198 of each of the first drivers2110 a and the camming surface 2398 of each of the second drivers 2310a, as well as the camming surface of the distal driver 2610 a areaxially aligned on the second cam axis SCA. Also in the illustratedstaple driver array 2500 b, the cam portion 2195 of each of the firstdrivers 2110 b and the cam portion 2392 of each of the second drivers2310 b, as well as the cam portion 2692 of the distal driver 2610 b areall aligned along a primary cam axis PCA. Thus, the camming surface 2196of each of the first drivers 2110 b and the camming surface 2394 of eachof the second drivers 2310 b, as well as the camming surface 2694 of thedistal driver 2610 b are axially aligned along the primary cam axis PCA.Still referring to FIG. 57, in the staple driver array 2500 b of theillustrated arrangement, the cam portion 2197 of each of the firstdrivers 2110 b and the cam portion 2396 of each of the second drivers2310 b as well as the cam portion 2696 of the distal driver 2610 b areall aligned along a secondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, in at least oneembodiment, the camming surface 2198 of each of the first drivers 2110 band the camming surface 2398 of each of the second drivers 2310 b aswell as the camming surface 2698 of the distal driver 2610 b are axiallyaligned on the secondary cam axis SDCA.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 57, when the drivers 2110a, 2310 a and 2610 a are all operably supported in the staple cartridgein the staple driver array 2500 a, the staple drivers 2110 a, 2310 a,2610 a form a first longitudinal row 2750 a of staples 820 a that isadjacent to elongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of thestaples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 2750 a extend in a firstdirection as was described above. Likewise, the drivers 2110 a and 2310a form a second longitudinal row 2760 a of staples 820 b that areadjacent the first longitudinal row 2750 a. The staples 820 b in thesecond longitudinal row 2760 a extend in a second direction that isdifferent from the first direction of the staples 820 a in the firstlongitudinal row 2750 a. In addition, the drivers 2110 a, 2310 a, 2610 aform a third longitudinal row 2770 a of staples 820 c that are orientedin a third direction which may or may not be in the same direction asstaples 820 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first andthird directions are the same. The third longitudinal row 2770 a isadjacent to the second longitudinal row 2760 a.

Still referring to FIG. 57, when the staple drivers 2110 b, 2310 b, 2610b are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the stapledriver array 2500 b, the staple drivers 2110 b and 2310 b and 2610 bform a primary longitudinal row 2750 b of staples 820 a that is adjacentto elongate slot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820a in the primary longitudinal row 2750 b extend in a first direction aswas described above. Likewise, the staple drivers 2110 b and 2310 b forma secondary longitudinal row 2760 b of staples 820 b that are adjacentthe primary longitudinal row 2750 b. The staples 820 b in the secondarylongitudinal row 2760 b extend in a second direction that is differentfrom the first direction of the staples 820 a in the primarylongitudinal row 1750 b. In addition, the staple drivers 2110 b, 2310 band 2610 b form a tertiary longitudinal row 2770 b of staples 820 c thatare oriented in a third direction which may or may not be in the samedirection as staples 820 a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,the first and third directions are the same. The tertiary longitudinalrow 2770 b is adjacent to the secondary longitudinal row 2760 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 2500 a, 2500 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the distal driver 2610 a supports two distal most staples inthe longitudinal rows 2750 a, 2770 a that each extending in the samedirection. Similarly, the proximal most first driver 2110 a supports twoproximal most staples in the longitudinal rows 2750 a and 2770 a ofstaples that extend in the same direction. Such staple pattern mayprovide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends of each line ofstaples.

Other staple driver arrays 2800 a, 2800 b are illustrated in FIGS. 62and 63. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 2800 aemploys a plurality of staple drivers 2610 a that were described above.A staple driver 2610 a comprises a proximal most driver and anotherstaple driver 2610 a forms a distal most driver in the driver array 2800a. Additional staple drivers 2610 a alternate with staple drivers 2910 athat are each configured to operably support a single staple 820 bthereon.

FIGS. 64-66 illustrate one exemplary form of a staple driver 2910 a withit being understood that, in at least one arrangement, a distal stapledriver 2910 b essentially contains the same features as a distal stapledriver 2910 a and may be a mirror image thereof. Each staple driver 2910a, 2910 b comprises a staple driver body 2911. In the illustratedarrangement, the driver body 2911 includes a first staple supportportion 2920 that is configured to support a staple 820 b thereon. Ascan be seen in FIG. 64, the first staple support portion 2920 comprisesa first distal support column 2922 and a first proximal support column2926. The first staple support portion 2920 further includes a firstdistal support cradle 2924 and a first proximal support cradle 2928 forsupporting portions of the staple crown 827 b of a staple 820 b. As canbe seen in FIG. 65, when the staple crown 827 b of the staple 820 b issupported on the support cradles 2924 and 2928, the distal leg 823 b isessentially axially aligned with the first distal support column 2922and the first proximal leg 825 b is essentially axially aligned with thefirst proximal support column 2926. When the staple 820 b is supportedon the first staple support portion 2920, the staple crown 827 b isaligned on a primary base axis PBA that is transverse to the first andsecond base axes of the drivers 2610 a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the staple driver 2910 a furthercomprises a connector portion 2990 that is configured to slidablyinterface with first and second driver guides 3000, 3100 that are formedin the staple cartridge. Referring to FIG. 63, a first driver guide 3000includes a first hook-shaped portion 3002 that has a slot 3004 thereinthat is configured to slidably engage a support column 2652 of acorresponding staple driver 2610 a. In addition, the first driver guide3000 includes a second hook shaped portion 3006 that has a slot 3008that is configured to slidably engage a support column 2926 of acorresponding staple driver 2910 a. The second driver guide 3100essentially comprises an inverted driver guide 3000. As can be seen inFIG. 63, the second driver guide 3100 includes a first hook shapedportion 3102 that has a slot 3104 that is configured to slidably engagea support column 2926 of a corresponding driver 2910 a. The seconddriver guide 3100 further has a second hook shaped portion 3106 that hasa slot 3108 that is configured to slidably engage the support column2922 of the corresponding driver 2910 a. As can also be seen in FIGS.64-66, the connector portion 2990 includes a first cam portion 2992 thathas a first camming surface or ramp 2994 formed thereon. The connectorportion 2990 also includes a second cam portion 2996 that has a second asecond camming surface 2998 formed thereon. In at least one arrangement,the camming surfaces 2994, 2998 have the same slope or angle as thecorresponding camming surfaces on the drivers 2610 a. In at least oneembodiment, each staple driver 2910 a, is integrally formed from ormolded from, for example, Ultem®, with no fill. However, other materialssuch as, for example, Ultem® with a glass or mineral fill or Nylon orNylon with a glass file could be used. In other arrangements, thevarious portions of the staple drivers 2910 a, 2910 b may be separatelyfabricated from other materials and be attached together by adhesive,solder, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 62, it can be seen that in the staple driverarray 2800 a in the illustrated arrangement, the cam portion 2692 ofeach of the staple drivers 2610 a and the cam portion 2992 of each ofthe drivers 2910 a are all axially aligned along a first cam axis FCA.Thus the camming surface 2694 of each of the drivers 2610 a and thecamming surface 2994 of each of the drivers 2910 a are axially alignedalong the first cam axis FCA. The cam portion 2696 of each of thedrivers 2610 a and the cam portion 2996 of each of the drivers 2910 aare all aligned along a second cam axis SCA. Thus, in at least oneembodiment, the camming surface 2698 of each of the drivers 2610 a andthe camming surface 2998 of each of the drivers 2910 a are axiallyaligned on the second cam axis SCA. Also in the illustrated stapledriver array 2800 b, the cam portion 2692 of each of the drivers 2610 band the cam portion 2992 of each of the drivers 2910 b are aligned alonga primary cam axis PCA. Thus, the camming surface 2694 of each of thedrivers 2610 b and the camming surface 2994 of each of the drivers 2910b are axially aligned along the primary cam axis PCA. Still referring toFIG. 62, in the staple driver array 2800 b of the illustratedarrangement, the cam portion 2696 of each of the drivers 2610 b and thecam portion 2996 of each of the drivers 2910 b are all aligned along asecondary cam axis SDCA. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the cammingsurface 2698 of each of the drivers 2610 b and the camming surface 2998of each of the drivers 2910 b are axially aligned on the secondary camaxis SDCA.

As can be appreciated from reference to FIG. 62, when the drivers 2610 aand 2910 a are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in thestaple driver array 2800 a, the staple drivers 2610 a form a firstlongitudinal row 3050 a of staples 820 a that is adjacent to elongateslot 804 in the cartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 a in thefirst longitudinal row 3050 a extend in a first direction as wasdescribed above. Likewise, the drivers 2910 a form a second longitudinalrow 3060 a of staples 820 b that are adjacent the first longitudinal row3050 a. The staples 820 b in the second longitudinal row 3060 a extendin a second direction that is different from the first direction of thestaples 820 a in the first longitudinal row 3050 a. In addition, thedrivers 2610 a form a third longitudinal row 3070 a of staples 820 cthat are oriented in a third direction which may or may not be in thesame direction as staples 820 a. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the first and third directions are the same. The thirdlongitudinal row 3070 a is adjacent to the second longitudinal row 3060a.

Still referring to FIG. 62, when the staple drivers 2610 b and 2910 bare all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the staple driverarray 2800 b, the staple drivers 2610 b form a primary longitudinal row3050 b of staples 820 a that is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in thecartridge body 802. Each of the staples 820 a in the primarylongitudinal row 3050 b extend in a first direction as was describedabove. Likewise, the staple drivers 2910 b form a secondary longitudinalrow 3060 b of staples 820 b that are adjacent the primary longitudinalrow 3050 b. The staples 820 b in the secondary longitudinal row 3060 bextend in a second direction that is different from the first directionof the staples 820 a in the primary longitudinal row 3050 b. Inaddition, the staple drivers 2610 b form a tertiary longitudinal row3070 b of staples 820 c that are oriented in a third direction which mayor may not be in the same direction as staples 820 a. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, the first and third directions are the same.The tertiary longitudinal row 3070 b is adjacent to the secondarylongitudinal row 3060 b.

Thus, when employing the staple driver arrays 2800 a, 2800 b, there aretwo staples extending side by side in the same direction or alongparallel axes along both ends of each of the staple lines. Inparticular, the distal driver 2610 a supports two distal most staples inthe longitudinal rows 3050 a, 3070 a that each extend in the samedirection. Similarly, the proximal most driver 2610 a supports twoproximal most staples in the longitudinal rows 3050 a and 3070 a ofstaples that extend in the same direction. Such staple pattern mayprovide a redundant seal arrangement at both ends of each line ofstaples.

Other staple driver arrays 3100 a, 3100 b are illustrated in FIGS. 67and 68. As can be seen in those Figures, the staple driver array 3100 aemploys a plurality of staple drivers 3210 a, 3310 a, 3410 a that eachsupport a single staple thereon. Likewise, staple driver array 3100 bincludes a plurality of staple drivers 3210 b, 3310 b, 3410 b. Stapledrivers 3210 a may be mirror images of staple drivers 3210 b and includethe same features. Staple drivers 3310 a may be mirror images of stapledrivers 3310 b and include the same features. Staple drivers 3410 a maybe mirror images of staple drivers 3410 b and include the same features.

As can be seen in FIG. 69, a first driver 3210 b includes a first staplesupporting portion 3220 that has a distal cradle 3222 and a proximalcradle 3224 formed therein. The first staple supporting portion 3220 isconfigured to operably support a first staple (not shown) therein. Whenthe first staple is supported in the first staple supporting portion3220, the staple crown of the first staple is supported along a firstbase axis FBA. Also in the illustrated arrangement, a second driver 3310b includes a second staple supporting portion 3320 that has a distalcradle 3322 and a proximal cradle 3324 formed therein. The second staplesupporting portion 3320 is configured to operably support a secondstaple (not shown) thereon. When the second staple is supported in thesecond staple supporting portion 3320, the staple crown of the secondstaple is supported along a second base axis SBA that is transverse tothe first base axis FBA. The illustrated staple driver array 3100 b alsoincludes a third staple driver 3410 b that has a third staple supportingportion 3420. The third staple supporting portion 3420 includes aproximal cradle 3422 and a distal cradle 3424 formed therein and isconfigured to operably support a third staple (not shown) thereon. Whenthe third staple is supported on the third staple supporting portion3420, the crown of the third staple is supported along a third base axisTBA that is parallel to the first base axis FBA and transverse to thesecond base axis SBA.

Still referring to FIG. 69, each of the drivers 3210 b, 3310 b, 3410 bhas a pair of cam portions protruding therefrom that each have a cam orramp surface formed thereon. For example, a first driver 3210 b includesa first cam portion 3230 that has a ramp or camming surface 3232 formedthereon and a second cam portion 3234 that has a ramp or camming surface3236 formed thereon. To provide clearance for the adjacent proximalsecond driver 3310 b, the proximal end 3237 of the second cam portion3234 has an angle 3238 formed thereon as shown in FIG. 69. A seconddriver 3310 b includes a first cam portion 3330 that has a ramp orcamming surface 3332 formed thereon and a second cam portion 3334 thathas a ramp or camming surface 3336 formed thereon. To provide clearancefor the adjacent proximal first driver 3210 b and adjacent proximalthird driver 3410 b, the proximal end of 3331 of the first cam portion3330 has a first angle 3333 formed thereon and the proximal end 3335 ofthe second cam portion 3334 has an angle 3337 formed thereon as shown inFIG. 69. A third driver 3410 b includes a first cam portion 3430 thathas a ramp or camming surface 3432 formed thereon and a second camportion 3434 that has a ramp or camming surface 3436 formed thereon. Toprovide clearance for the adjacent proximal second driver 3310 b, theproximal end 3431 of the first cam portion 3430 has an angle 3433 formedthereon. FIGS. 70 and 71 illustrate a second driver 3310 b to show theramps or camming surfaces 3332, 3336 with it being understood that thefirst and third drivers 3210 a, 3410 a are similarly constructed.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the drivers 3210 b, 3310 b, 3410b has two cam portions with ramps or camming surfaces that are parallelto each other. Thus, each of the drivers 3210 b, 3310 b, 3410 b isactuated by two ramps or camming members on the sled or cam actuator. Inthis embodiment, however, the sled or cam actuator is formed with atotal of eight ramps (four on each side of the elongate slot 804). Thecamming surfaces on each of the drivers 3210 b, 3310 b, 3410 b areconfigured at an angle that cooperates with the angle of thecorresponding sled ramp or camming member to drive the respective driverupward within the staple cartridge as the sled or cam actuator is drivendistally through the staple cartridge.

FIG. 72 illustrates an exemplary staple cartridge 4800 that has acartridge body 4802 that includes an elongate slot 4804 foraccommodating the tissue cutting member in the manner described herein.The elongate slot 4804 is centrally disposed along the cartridge axis CAand s bifurcates the cartridge body 4802 into two body portions 4810 and4910. FIG. 73 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of oneform of the surgical staple cartridge body 802′. As can be seen in thatFigure, the first body portion 4810 includes a first cartridge wallportion 4812 that includes first support grooves or slots 4814 thereinthat are each oriented on a corresponding first slot axis FSA that istransverse to the cartridge axis CA. The second body portion 4810further includes a second cartridge wall portion 4820 that containssecond support grooves or slots 4822 therein that are each oriented on acorresponding second slot axis SSA that is transverse to the cartridgeaxis CA. Located between the first cartridge wall portion 4812 and thesecond cartridge wall portion 4820 are four spaced slots 4830, 4832,4834, 4836 for receiving corresponding ramps or camming members of thesled or cam actuator. Slots 4830 and 4832 define a plurality ofsegmented guide rails 4840 that each has a slot 4842 therein. Likewise,slots 4832 and 4834 define another plurality of segmented guide rails4850 that each has two slots 4852 and 4854 therein. In addition, slots4834 and 4836 define another plurality of segment guide rails 4860 thateach has a slot 4862 therein.

Still referring to FIG. 73, the segmented guide rails 4840 are segmentedby slots 4844 that are oriented to accommodate a staple supportingportion 3220 of a corresponding first staple driver 3210 a. In addition,the ends of the staple supporting portion 3220 are received incorresponding slots 4814 and 4852 so that each of the first drivers 3210a is completely slidably supported in the cartridge body 4802 throughits range of upward travel therein. Similarly, the segmented guide rails4850 are segmented by second slots 4856 that are oriented to accommodatea staple supporting portion 3320 of a corresponding second staple driver3310 a. In addition, the ends of the staple supporting portion 3320 arereceived in corresponding slots 4842 and 4862 so that each of the secondstaple drivers 3310 a is completely slidably supported in the cartridgebody 4802 through its range of upward travel therein. Further, thesegmented guide rails 4860 are segmented by third slots 4864 that areoriented to accommodate a staple supporting portion 3420 of acorresponding second staple driver 3410 a. In addition, the ends of thestaple supporting portion 3420 are received in corresponding slots 4822and 4854 so that each of the third staple drivers 3410 a is completelyslidably supported in the cartridge body 4802 through its range ofupward travel therein. It will be appreciated that the slots 4844, 4856and 4864 extend through a deck surface 4805 of the cartridge body 4802to enable the staples to exit the cartridge body 4802. The slots 4844,4856, 4864 may also be referred to as “staple cavities”. See FIG. 72.

Likewise, the second body portion 4910 includes a first cartridge wallportion 4912 that includes first support grooves or slots 4914 thereinthat each lie along a corresponding primary slot axis PSA that istransverse to the cartridge axis CA. The second body portion 4910further includes a second cartridge wall portion 4920 that containssecond support grooves or slots 4922 therein that each lie along acorresponding secondary slot axis SDSA that is transverse to thecartridge axis CA. Located between the first cartridge wall portion 4912and the second cartridge wall portion 4920 are four spaced slots 4930,4932, 4934, 4936 for receiving corresponding ramps or camming members ofthe sled or cam actuator. Slots 4930 and 4932 define a plurality ofsegmented guide rails 4940 that each has a slot 4942 therein. Likewise,slots 4932 and 4934 define another plurality of segmented guide rails4950 that each has two slots 4952 and 4954 therein. In addition, slots4934 and 4936 define another plurality of segment guide rails 4960 thateach has a slot 4962 therein.

Still referring to FIG. 73, the segmented guide rails 4940 are segmentedby slots 4944 that are oriented to accommodate a staple supportingportion 3220 of a corresponding first staple driver 3210 b. In addition,the ends of the staple supporting portion 3220 are received incorresponding slots 4914 and 4952 so that each of the first drivers 3210b is completely slidably supported in the cartridge body 4802 throughits range of upward travel therein. Similarly, the segmented guide rails4950 are segmented by second slots 4956 that are oriented to accommodatea staple supporting portion 3320 of a corresponding second staple driver3310 b. In addition, the ends of the staple supporting portion 3320 arereceived in corresponding slots 4942 and 4962 so that each of the secondstaple drivers 3310 b is completely slidably supported in the cartridgebody 4802 through its range of upward travel therein. Further, thesegmented guide rails 4960 are segmented by third slots 4964 that areoriented to accommodate a staple supporting portion 3420 of acorresponding second staple driver 3410 b. In addition, the ends of thestaple supporting portion 3420 are received in corresponding slots 4922and 4954 so that each of the third staple drivers 3410 b is completelyslidably supported in the cartridge body 4802 through its range ofupward travel therein. It will be appreciated that the slots 4944, 4956and 4964 extend through the deck surface 4805 of the cartridge body 4802to enable the staples to exit the cartridge body 4802. The slots 4944,4956, 4964 may also be referred to as “staple cavities”. See FIG. 72.

In the illustrated arrangement, when the drivers 3210 a, 3310 a, 3410 aare installed in the cartridge body 4802 to form the staple driver array3100 a, the cam portion 3230 of each of the first drivers 3210 a areaxially aligned on a first cam axis FCA defined by the first slot 4830.Thus, the camming surfaces 3232 are also axially aligned on the firstcam axis FCA for camming contact with a corresponding camming member orramp on the sled or camming actuator. Likewise, the camming portion 3234of each first driver 3210 a as well as each of the camming portions 3330of the second drivers 3310 a are axially aligned on a second cam axisSCA defined by the slot 4832. Thus, the camming surfaces 3236 and 3332are also axially aligned on the second cam axis SCA for camming contactwith a corresponding camming member or ramp on the sled or cammingactuator. In addition, the camming portion 3430 of each third driver3410 a as well as each of the camming portions 3334 of each of thesecond drivers 3310 a are axially aligned on a third cam axis TCAdefined by the slot 4834. Thus, the camming surfaces 3432 and 3336 arealso axially aligned on the third cam axis TCA for camming contact witha corresponding camming member or ramp on the sled or camming actuator.Also, the camming portion 3434 of each third driver 3410 a is axiallyaligned on a fourth axis FTCA defined by the slot 4836. Thus, thecamming surfaces 3436 are also axially aligned on the fourth cam axisFTCA for camming contact with a corresponding camming member or ramp onthe sled or camming actuator.

Also in the illustrated staple driver array 3100 b, the cam portion 3230of each of the first drivers 3210 b are axially aligned on a primary camaxis PCA defined by the first slot 4930. Thus, the camming surfaces 3232are also axially aligned on the first cam axis PCA for camming contactwith a corresponding camming member or ramp on the sled or cammingactuator. Likewise, the camming portion 3234 of each first driver 3210 bas well as each of the camming portions 3330 of the second drivers 3310b are axially aligned on a secondary cam axis SDCA defined by the slot4932. Thus, the camming surfaces 3236 and 3332 are also axially alignedon the secondary cam axis SDCA for camming contact with a correspondingcamming member or ramp on the sled or camming actuator. In addition, thecamming portion 3430 of each third driver 3410 b as well as each of thecamming portions 3334 of each of the second drivers 3310 b are axiallyaligned on a tertiary cam axis TRCA defined by the slot 4934. Thus, thecamming surfaces 3432 and 3336 are also axially aligned on the tertiarycam axis TRCA for camming contact with a corresponding camming member orramp on the sled or camming actuator. Also, the camming portion 3434 ofeach third driver 3410 a is axially aligned on another fourth axis FRCAdefined by the slot 4936. Thus, the camming surfaces 3436 are alsoaxially aligned on the another fourth cam axis FRCA for camming contactwith a corresponding camming member or ramp on the sled or cammingactuator.

In at least one arrangement, the camming surfaces 3232, 3236, 3332,3336, 3432, 3436 may be formed with identical slopes or angles or theymay have different slopes. However, in the illustrated arrangement, forexample, the camming surfaces 3232 are oriented or otherwise configuredto operably match the angle/orientation of the camming member or ramp ofthe sled or camming actuator. Also in the illustrated arrangement, thecamming surfaces 3236 and 3332 are formed with the same slope or angleand/or are otherwise configured to operably match the angle/orientationof the corresponding camming member or ramp of the sled or cammingactuator. However, it is conceivable that the angle or slope of thecamming surfaces 3236, 3332 are not the same as the angle or slope ofthe camming surfaces 3232. Likewise, the camming surfaces 3432 and 3336are formed with the same slope or angle and/or are otherwise configuredto operably match the angle/orientation of the corresponding cammingmember or ramp of the sled or camming actuator. However, it isconceivable that the angle or slope of the camming surfaces 3432, 3336are not the same as the angle or slope of the camming surfaces 3232,3234, 3332. Also in the illustrated arrangement, the camming surfaces3436 are formed with the same slope or angle and/or are otherwiseconfigured to operably match the angle/orientation of the correspondingcamming member or ramp of the sled or camming actuator. However, it isconceivable that the angle or slope of the camming surfaces 3436 is notthe same as the angle or slope of the camming surfaces 3232, 3234, 3332,3432, 3336.

Still referring to FIG. 67, when the staple drivers 3210 a, 3310 a, 3410a are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the stapledriver array 3100 a, the staple drivers 3210 a form a first longitudinalrow 5000 a of staples that is adjacent to elongate slot 804 in thecartridge body 4802. Each of the staples in the first longitudinal row5000 a extend in a first direction as was described above. Likewise, thestaple drivers 3310 a form a second longitudinal row 5010 a of staplesthat are adjacent the first longitudinal row 5000 a. The staples in thesecond longitudinal row 5010 a extend in a second direction that isdifferent from the first direction of the staples in the firstlongitudinal row 5000 a. In addition, the staple drivers 3410 a form athird longitudinal row 5020 a of staples that are oriented in a thirddirection which may or may not be in the same direction as the staplesin the second longitudinal row 5010 a. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the first and third directions are the same. The thirdlongitudinal row 5020 a is adjacent to the second longitudinal row 5010a.

In the illustrated arrangement, when the staple drivers 3210 b, 3310 b,3410 b are all operably supported in the staple cartridge in the stapledriver array 3100 b, the staple drivers 3210 b form a primarylongitudinal row 5000 b of staples that is adjacent to elongate slot 804in the cartridge body 4802. Each of the staples in the primarylongitudinal row 5000 b extend in a first direction as was describedabove. Likewise, the staple drivers 3310 b form a secondary longitudinalrow 5010 b of staples that are adjacent the primary longitudinal row5000 b. The staples in the secondary longitudinal row 5010 b extend in asecond direction that is different from the first direction of thestaples in the primary longitudinal row 5000 b. In addition, the stapledrivers 3410 b form a tertiary longitudinal row 5020 b of staples thatare oriented in a third direction which may or may not be in the samedirection as staples in the secondary longitudinal row 5010 b. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and third directionsare the same. The tertiary longitudinal row 5020 b is adjacent to thesecondary longitudinal row 5010 b.

FIG. 74 illustrates a portion of another surgical staple cartridge 6000that is configured to achieve lines of staples that each have differentformed heights and that may employ various staple driver arrayarrangements disclosed herein. The surgical staple cartridge 6000includes a cartridge body 6002 that has an elongate slot 6004 thatdivides the cartridge body into a first cartridge portion 6010 and asecond cartridge portion 6110. The first cartridge portion 6010 includesa “stepped deck” 6012. In the illustrated example, the lowest decksurface or “first” deck portion is designated as 6020. A series of slotsor first staple pockets 6022 that are configured to support a firstlongitudinal line 6030 of first surgical staples 7000 are provided inthe first deck portion 6020. In the illustrated embodiment, the firststaple pockets 6022 in the line 6030 are parallel to each other and areeach oriented on a corresponding first axis FA.

As can be further seen in FIG. 74, the stepped deck 6012 furtherincludes a second deck portion 6040 that has a height or thickness “T1”.Stated another way, the second deck portion 6040 extends above the firstdeck portion 6020 the thickness T1. In one example, T1 may beapproximately 0.01 inches. However, other thicknesses or heightdifferences may be employed. For example, T1 may range from 0.005inches-0.025 inches. A second series of slots or second staple pockets6042 are oriented in the second deck portion 6040 to support a secondline 6050 of second staples 7020 therein. The second staple pockets 6042are parallel to each other and are each aligned on a second axis SA. Thesecond axes may be transverse to the first axes FA.

Still referring to FIG. 74, the first stepped deck 6012 further includesa third deck portion 6060 that has a height or thickness “T2”. Statedanother way, the third deck portion 6060 extends above the first deckportion 6020 the thickness T2. In one example, T2 may be approximately0.02 inches. However, other thicknesses or height differences may beemployed. For example, T1 may range from 0.005 inches-0.030 inches. Athird series of slots or second staple pockets 6062 are oriented in thethird deck portion 6060 to support a third line 6070 of third staples7020 therein. The third staple pockets 6062 are parallel to each otherand are each aligned on a third axis TA. The third axes may be parallelto the first axes FA and transverse to the second axes SA, for example.

In use, when the anvil of the surgical instrument is locked in a closedposition wherein the staple forming undersurface of the anvil ispositioned in confronting relationship with the deck of the staplecartridge 6000, the third deck portion 6070 will be closer to theundersurface of the anvil than the second deck portion 6040 and thefirst deck portion 6020. Likewise, the second deck portion 6040 iscloser to the staple forming undersurface of the anvil than the firstdeck portion 6020. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 75, the third staples7030 supported in the third staple pockets 6062 will have a thirdforming height “TFH” that is less than the second forming height “SFH”of the second staples 7020 supported in the second staple pockets 6042and second forming height SFH of the second staples 7020 is less thanthe first forming height “FFH” of the staples supported in the firststaple pockets 6022. As shown in FIG. 74, the line 6070 of third staples7030 may be adjacent to the elongate slot 6004. Thus, the staples 7030that are the closest to the cut line in the tissue will have theshortest formed height.

The second cartridge portion 6110 includes a primary deck portion 6120that is the lowest deck surface. A series of slots or primary staplepockets 6122 that are configured to support a primary longitudinal line6130 of first surgical staples 7000 are provided in the primary deckportion 6120. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary staple pockets6122 in the primary line 6130 are parallel to each other and are eachoriented on a corresponding primary axis PA. As can be further seen inFIG. 74, the stepped deck 6012 further includes a secondary deck portion6140 that has a height or thickness “T1′”. Stated another way, thesecondary deck portion 6140 extends above the primary deck portion 6120the thickness T1′. In the illustrated arrangement T1′ is equal to T1.However, other arrangements are contemplated wherein T1′ does not equalT1. A second series of slots or second staple pockets 6142 are orientedin the secondary deck portion 6140 to support a secondary line 6150 ofsecond staples 7020 therein. The secondary staple pockets 6142 areparallel to each other and are each aligned on a secondary axis SDA. Thesecondary axes SDA may be transverse to the primary axes PA.

Still referring to FIG. 74, the stepped deck 6012 further includes atertiary deck portion 6160 that has a height or thickness “T2′”. Statedanother way, the tertiary deck portion 6160 extends above the primarydeck portion 6120 the thickness T2′. In the illustrated arrangement, T2′is equal to T2. However, other arrangements are contemplated wherein T2′does not equal T2. A tertiary series of slots or tertiary staple pockets6162 are oriented in the tertiary deck portion 6160 to support atertiary line 6170 of third staples 7030 therein. The tertiary staplepockets 6162 are parallel to each other and are each aligned on atertiary axis TRA. The tertiary axes TRA may be parallel to the primaryaxes PA and transverse to the secondary axes SDA, for example.

In use, when the anvil of the surgical instrument is locked in a closedposition wherein the staple forming undersurface of the anvil ispositioned in confronting relationship with the deck of the staplecartridge 6000, the tertiary deck portion 6160 will be closer to theundersurface than the second deck portion 6040 and the first deckportion 6020. Likewise, the secondary deck portion 6140 is closer to thestaple forming undersurface of the anvil than the primary deck portion6120. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 75, the third staples 7030 supportedin the third staple pockets 6062 will have a third forming height “TFH”that is less than the second forming height “SFH” of the second staples7020 supported in the secondary staple pockets 6142 and second formingheight SFH of the second staples 7020 is less than the first formingheight “FFH” of the staples supported in the primary staple pockets6122. As shown in FIG. 74, the line 6170 of third staples 7030 may beadjacent to the elongate slot 6004. Thus, the staples 7030 that are theclosest to the cut line in the tissue will have the shortest formedheight.

Various staple driver arrangements disclosed herein may be effectivelyemployed with the above-described stepped deck arrangement to achievestaples having different formed heights. All of the various drivercombinations and stepped deck configurations are contemplated herein.The various staples employed may start with different unformed heights.For example, all of the staples in one line of staples may have the sameheight, but have a different height than all of the staples in anotherline or other lines of staples in the cartridge. The staples may beU-shaped or be V-shaped. The staples may have different wire diameters.Further details regarding staple configurations, cartridge and driverarrangements for forming staples with different formed heights aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,746, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FORFORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT FORMED HEIGHTS; U.S. Pat. No.7,500,979, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE STACKEDACTUATOR WEDGE CAMS FOR DRIVING STAPLE DRIVERS; U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,781,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH STAPLE DRIVER THAT SUPPORTSMULTIPLE WIRE DIAMETER STAPLES; U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,187, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENTLENGTHS; U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,630, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMINGSTAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT FORMED HEIGHTS; U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,656,entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT FORMEDHEIGHTS; U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,923, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMINGSTAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT FORMED HEIGHTS, the entire disclosures of eachbeing hereby incorporated by reference herein.

As the present Detailed Description proceeds, it will be understood thatthe various forms of surgical staple cartridges disclosed herein mayalso be effectively employed in connection with robotically-controlledsurgical systems. Thus, the term “housing” may also encompass a housingor similar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operablysupports at least one drive system that is configured to generate andapply at least one control motion which could be used to actuate theelongate shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respectiveequivalents. The term “frame” may refer to a portion of a handheldsurgical instrument. The term “frame” may also represent a portion of arobotically controlled surgical instrument and/or a portion of therobotic system that may be used to operably control a surgicalinstrument. For example, the shaft assemblies disclosed herein may beemployed with various robotic systems, instruments, components andmethods disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

The surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by anelectric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances,the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by amanually-operated trigger, for example. The motor or motor(s) maycomprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system.

The surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by one ormore electric motors; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances,the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by amanually-operated trigger, for example.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A surgical staple driver array for operable use with a surgical staplecartridge. In at least one configuration, the surgical staple driverarray comprises a distal staple driver that is slidably supportable inthe surgical staple cartridge and is configured to operably support asingle distal surgical staple thereon that is oriented in a distaldirection. A plurality of intermediate staple drivers is configured tobe slidably supported in the surgical staple cartridge in series,wherein a distal most one of the intermediate staple drivers is adjacentto the distal staple driver. Each of the intermediate staple drivers isconfigured to operably support a first surgical staple that is orientedin a first direction as well as a second surgical staple that isoriented in a second direction and a third surgical staple that isoriented in a third direction. A proximal staple driver is slidablysupported adjacent a proximal most one of the intermediate stapledrivers. The proximal staple driver is configured to operably support aproximal surgical staple that is oriented in a proximal direction.

Example 2

The surgical staple driver array of Example 1, wherein the distaldirection is parallel to at least one of the first, second and thirddirections.

Example 3

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 1 or 2, wherein theproximal direction is parallel to at least one of the first, second andthird directions.

Example 4

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein thedistal direction, the first direction, the third direction and theproximal direction are parallel to each other.

Example 5

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein adistal crown of the distal surgical staple is supported along a distalbase axis and a first crown of the first surgical staple is supportedalong a first base axis that is parallel to the distal base axis.

Example 6

The surgical staple driver array of Example 5, wherein a second staplecrown of the second surgical staple is supported along a second baseaxis that is transverse to the first base axis.

Example 7

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 5 or 6, wherein a thirdstaple crown of the third surgical staple is supported along a thirdbase axis that is parallel to the first base axis.

Example 8

The surgical staple driver array of Example 7, wherein a proximal staplecrown of the proximal surgical staple is supported along a proximal baseaxis that is parallel to the third base axis of the third surgicalstaple supported in the proximal most one of the intermediate stapledrivers.

Example 9

A surgical staple cartridge that comprises a cartridge body thatcomprises a proximal end and a distal end. A distal staple driver ismovably supported in the cartridge body and is configured to support asingle, distal most surgical staple thereon that is oriented in a distaldirection. A plurality of intermediate staple drivers is movablysupported in the cartridge body in series, wherein a distal most one ofthe intermediate staple drivers is adjacent to the distal staple driver.Each intermediate staple driver supports a first surgical staple in afirst direction, a second surgical staple in a second direction and athird surgical staple in a third direction. A proximal staple driver isslidably supported adjacent a proximal most one of the intermediatestaple drivers. The proximal staple driver is configured to operablysupport a proximal surgical staple that is oriented in a proximaldirection.

Example 10

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 9, wherein a distal crown ofthe distal surgical staple is supported along a distal base axis and afirst crown of the first surgical staple is supported along a first baseaxis that is parallel to the distal base axis. A second staple crown ofthe second surgical staple is supported along a second base axis that istransverse to the first base axis. A third staple crown of the thirdsurgical staple is supported along a third base axis that is parallel tothe first base axis. A proximal staple crown of the proximal surgicalstaple is supported along a proximal base axis that is parallel to thethird base axis of the third surgical staple that is supported in theproximal most intermediate staple driver.

Example 11

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 9 or 10, wherein the distalstaple driver comprises a distal staple support member that comprises adistal support column that is configured to support a distal leg of thedistal surgical staple thereon. The distal staple support member furthercomprises a proximal support column that is configured to support aproximal leg of the distal surgical staple thereon. One of the distaland proximal support columns is slidably supported in one of a firstwall portion and a second wall portion of the cartridge body.

Example 12

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 11, wherein the distal stapledriver further comprises a distal camming surface that is aligned on afirst cam axis that extends transversely between the distal and proximalsupport columns.

Example 13

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein atleast one of the intermediate staple drivers comprises a first staplesupport member that comprises a first distal support column that isconfigured to support a first distal leg of a corresponding firstsurgical staple thereon. The first staple support member furthercomprises a first proximal support column that is configured to supporta first proximal leg of the corresponding first surgical staple thereon.The intermediate staple driver further comprises a second staple supportmember that comprises a second distal support column that is configuredto support a second distal leg of a corresponding second surgical staplethereon. The second staple support member further comprises a secondproximal support column that is configured to support a second proximalleg of the corresponding second surgical staple thereon. Theintermediate staple driver further comprises a third staple supportmember that comprises a third distal support column that is configuredto support a third distal leg of a corresponding third surgical staplethereon. The third staple support member further comprises a thirdproximal support column that is configured to support a third proximalleg of the corresponding third surgical staple thereon. One of the thirddistal support column and the third proximal support column is slidablysupported in one of first and second wall portions of the cartridgebody.

Example 14

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, whereinthe proximal staple driver comprises a proximal staple support memberthat comprises another distal support column that is configured tosupport another distal leg of the proximal surgical staple thereon. Theproximal staple support member further comprises another proximalsupport column that is configured to support another proximal leg of theproximal surgical staple thereon. One of the another distal and theanother proximal support columns is slidably supported in one of a firstwall portion and a second wall portion of the cartridge body.

Example 15

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 14, further comprising at leastone distal camming surface on the distal staple support member and atleast one first camming surface on at least one of the first, second andthird staple support members. At least one proximal camming surface ison the proximal staple support member.

Example 16

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 15, wherein the at least onedistal camming surface, the at least one first camming surface and theat least one proximal camming surface are aligned on a common cammingaxis.

Example 17

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 15 or 16, wherein the at leastone distal camming surface comprises a first distal camming surface anda second distal camming surface that is spaced from the first distalcamming surface. The first camming surface comprises a first cammingsurface and a second camming surface that is spaced from the firstcamming surface. At least one proximal camming surface comprises a firstproximal camming surface and a second proximal camming surface.

Example 18

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 17, wherein the first distalcamming surface, the first camming surface and the first proximalcamming surface are aligned on a first camming axis and wherein thesecond distal camming surface, the second camming surface and the secondproximal camming surface are aligned on a second camming axis.

Example 19

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 18, wherein the first cammingsurface is on the first staple support member and the second cammingsurface is on the third staple support member.

Example 20

A surgical instrument, comprising an axially movable sled that comprisesfirst and second camming members. The surgical instrument furthercomprises a surgical staple cartridge and at least one distal stapledriver that is movably supported in the surgical staple cartridge. Eachdistal staple driver is configured to operably support a correspondingdistal staple thereon and comprises a first distal camming surface thatis aligned for camming contact with the first camming member and asecond distal camming surface that is aligned for camming contact withthe second camming member. A plurality of intermediate staple drivers ismovably supported in the surgical staple cartridge in series. A distalmost one of the intermediate staple drivers is adjacent to one of the atleast one distal staple drivers. Each of the intermediate staple driverssupports a corresponding first surgical staple, a corresponding secondsurgical staple and a corresponding third surgical staple thereon. Eachintermediate staple driver comprises a first camming surface that isaligned for camming contact with the first camming member and a secondcamming surface that is aligned for camming contact with the secondcamming member. A proximal staple driver is slidably supported adjacenta proximal most one of the intermediate staple drivers. The proximalstaple driver is configured to operably support a corresponding proximalsurgical staple thereon and comprises a first proximal camming surfacethat is aligned for camming contact with the first camming member and asecond proximal camming surface that is aligned for camming contact withthe second camming member.

Example 21

A surgical staple driver array for operable use with a surgical staplecartridge. In at least one form, the surgical staple driver arraycomprises a distal staple driver that is configured to be slidablysupported in the surgical staple cartridge. The surgical staple driverarray is also configured to operably support at least two distalsurgical staples thereon that are each oriented in a distal direction.At least one first intermediate staple driver is configured to beslidably supported in the surgical staple cartridge. The intermediatestaple driver operably supports at least two first surgical staples thatare each oriented in a first direction and at least two second surgicalstaples that are each oriented in a second direction that differs fromthe first direction. At least one second intermediate staple driver isconfigured to be slidably supported adjacent at least one of the distalstaple drivers and a corresponding one of the at least one firstintermediate staple drivers. Each of the at least one secondintermediate staple drivers is configured to operably support five,second surgical staples thereon wherein at least two of the secondsurgical staples are each oriented in a primary direction and at leastone other of the second surgical staples is oriented in a secondarydirection that differs from the primary direction.

Example 22

The surgical staple driver array of Example 21, wherein at least one ofthe first and second directions is parallel to the distal direction.

Example 23

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 21 or 22, wherein the firstand second directions are transverse to each other.

Example 24

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 21, 22 or 23, wherein atleast one of the primary and secondary directions is parallel to thedistal direction.

Example 25

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 21, 22, 23 or 24, whereinfour of the second surgical staples are oriented in the primarydirection and one other of the second staples is oriented in thesecondary direction.

Example 26

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25,wherein one of the distal surgical staples comprises a distal crown thatis aligned on a first distal base axis and another of the distalsurgical staples comprises another distal crown that is aligned on asecond distal base axis that is parallel to the first distal base axis.One of the first surgical staples comprises a first staple crown that isaligned on a first base axis and another one of the first surgicalstaples comprises another first staple crown that is aligned on anotherfirst base axis that is parallel to the first base axis. One of thesecond surgical staples comprises a second staple crown that is alignedon a second base axis and another of the second surgical staplescomprises another second staple crown that is aligned on another secondbase axis that is parallel to the second base axis.

Example 27

The surgical staple driver array of Example 26, wherein the first andsecond distal base axes are parallel with the first base axis and theanother first base axis and wherein the second base axis and the anothersecond base axis are transverse to the first base axis and the anotherfirst base axis.

Example 28

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 or27, wherein the distal staple driver comprises at least one distalcamming surface and wherein at least one of the at least one firstintermediate staple drivers comprises at least one first camming surfaceand wherein at least one of the at least one second intermediate stapledrivers comprises at least one primary camming surface and wherein theat least one distal camming surface and the at least one first cammingsurface and the at least one primary camming surface are axially alignedalong a first camming axis.

Example 29

The surgical staple driver array of Example 28, wherein the distalstaple driver comprises a first distal camming surface and a seconddistal camming surface that is spaced from the first distal cammingsurface. Each of the at least one first intermediate staple driverscomprises a first camming surface and a second camming surface that isspaced from the first camming surface. Each of the at least one secondintermediate staple drivers comprises a primary camming surface and asecondary camming surface that is spaced from the primary cammingsurface. The first distal camming surface, each of the first cammingsurfaces and each of the primary camming surfaces are axially aligned onthe first camming axis. The second distal camming surface, each of thesecond camming surfaces and each of the secondary camming surfaces areaxially aligned on a second camming axis.

Example 30

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising a cartridge body that comprisesa proximal end and a distal end. A distal staple driver is movablysupported in the cartridge body and is configured to support at leasttwo distal surgical staples thereon. Each of the distal surgical staplesextends in a distal direction. At least one first intermediate stapledriver is movably supported in the cartridge body. Each of the firstintermediate staple drivers is configured to support at least two firstsurgical staples that each extends in a first direction and at least twoother first surgical staples that each extend in a second direction. Thesurgical staple cartridge further comprises at least one secondintermediate staple driver that is configured to be slidably supportedadjacent to at least one of the distal staple drivers and acorresponding one of the first intermediate staple drivers. Each secondintermediate staple driver is configured to operably support five othersurgical staples thereon wherein at least two of the other surgicalstaples are each oriented in a primary direction and at least a thirdone of the other surgical staples is oriented in a secondary directionthat differs from the primary direction.

Example 31

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 30, wherein a first one of thedistal surgical staples comprises a first distal crown that is alignedon a first distal base axis and wherein a second one of the distalsurgical staples comprises a second distal crown that is aligned on asecond distal base axis that is parallel to the first distal base axis.At least one of the first surgical staples comprises a first staplecrown that is aligned on a first base axis and wherein at least oneother of the first surgical staples comprises another first staple crownthat is aligned on another first base axis that is parallel to the firstbase axis. At least one of the second surgical staples comprises asecond staple crown that is aligned on a second base axis and at leastone other of the second surgical staples comprises another second staplecrown that is aligned on another second base axis that is parallel tothe second base axis.

Example 32

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 30 or 31, wherein the distalstaple driver comprises a distal staple support member that comprises adistal support column that is configured to support a distal leg of adistal surgical staple thereon. The distal staple driver furthercomprises a proximal support column that is configured to support aproximal leg of the distal surgical staple thereon. The distal stapledriver also comprises another distal staple support member thatcomprises another distal support column that is configured to supportanother distal leg of another distal surgical staple thereon. Theanother distal staple support member further comprises another proximalsupport column that is configured to support another proximal leg of theanother distal surgical staple thereon.

Example 33

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 32, wherein one of the distalsupport column and another distal support column is slidably supportedin one of first and second cartridge wall portions in the cartridge bodyand wherein one of the proximal support column and another proximalsupport column is slidably supported in the other one of the first andsecond cartridge wall portions.

Example 34

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 32 or 33, wherein the distalstaple driver further comprises a first distal camming surface on thefirst distal staple support member and a second distal camming surfaceon the second distal staple support member.

Example 35

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 30, 31, 32, 33 or 34, whereinat least one of the first intermediate staple drivers comprises a firststaple support member that comprises a first distal support column thatis configured to support a first distal leg of a corresponding firstsurgical staple thereon. The first staple support member furthercomprises a first proximal support column that is configured to supporta first proximal leg of the corresponding first surgical staple thereon.The at least one of the first intermediate staple drivers furthercomprises a second staple support member that comprises a second distalsupport column that is configured to support a second distal leg of acorresponding second surgical staple thereon. The second staple supportmember further comprises a second proximal support column that isconfigured to support a second proximal leg of the corresponding secondsurgical staple thereon. The at least one of the first intermediatestaple drivers also comprises a third staple support member thatcomprises a third distal support column that is configured to support athird distal leg of a corresponding third surgical staple thereon. Thethird staple support member further comprises a third proximal supportcolumn that is configured to support a third proximal leg of thecorresponding third surgical staple thereon. The at least one of thefirst intermediate staple drivers further comprises a fourth staplesupport member that comprises a fourth distal support column that isconfigured to support a fourth distal leg of a corresponding fourthsurgical staple thereon. The fourth staple support member furthercomprises a fourth proximal support column that is configured to supporta fourth proximal leg of the corresponding fourth surgical staplethereon. A first crown of the corresponding first surgical staple and asecond crown of the corresponding second surgical staple are parallel toeach other. A third crown of the corresponding third surgical staple anda fourth crown of the fourth corresponding surgical staple are parallelto each other and transverse to the first and second crowns.

Example 36

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 35, wherein one of the firstdistal support column and the third proximal support column is slidablysupported in one of first and second cartridge wall portions in thecartridge body and wherein the other one of the first distal supportcolumn and the third proximal support column is slidably supported inthe other one of the first and second cartridge wall portions.

Example 37

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 or 36,wherein at least one of the second intermediate staple drivers comprisesanother first staple support member that comprises another first distalsupport column that is configured to support another first distal leg ofa corresponding first other surgical staple thereon. The another firststaple support member further comprises another first proximal supportcolumn that is configured to support another first proximal leg of thecorresponding first other surgical staple thereon. The secondintermediate staple driver further comprises another second staplesupport member that comprises another second distal support column thatis configured to support another second distal leg of a correspondingsecond other surgical staple thereon. The another second staple supportmember further comprises another second proximal support column that isconfigured to support another second proximal leg of the correspondingsecond other surgical staple thereon. The second intermediate stapledriver further comprises another third staple support member thatcomprises another third distal support column that is configured tosupport another third distal leg of a corresponding third other surgicalstaple thereon. The another third staple support member furthercomprises another third proximal support column that is configured tosupport another third proximal leg of the corresponding third othersurgical staple thereon. The second intermediate staple driver furthercomprises another fourth staple support member that comprises anotherfourth distal support column that is configured to support anotherfourth distal leg of a corresponding fourth other surgical staplethereon. The another fourth staple support member further comprisesanother fourth proximal support column that is configured to supportanother fourth proximal leg of the corresponding fourth other surgicalstaple thereon. Another first crown of the first corresponding othersurgical staple and another second crown of the second correspondingother surgical staple and another third crown of the third correspondingother surgical staple and another fourth crown of the fourthcorresponding other surgical staple are parallel to each other. Thesecond intermediate staple driver further comprises a fifth staplesupport member that comprises a fifth distal support column that isconfigured to support a fifth distal leg of a corresponding fifth othersurgical staple thereon. The fifth staple support member furthercomprises a fifth proximal support column that is configured to supporta fifth proximal leg of the corresponding fifth other surgical staplethereon. A fifth crown of the fifth corresponding other surgical stapleis transverse to the another first crown, the another second crown, theanother third crown and the another fourth crown.

Example 38

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 37, wherein the another firstproximal support column and the another third proximal support columnare each slidably supported in one of first and second cartridge wallportions of the cartridge body and wherein the another second proximalsupport column and the another fourth proximal support column are eachslidably supported in the other one of the first and second cartridgewall portions.

Example 39

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 37 or 38, further comprising aprimary camming surface that is located adjacent to the another firstproximal support column and the another third proximal support columnand is located inboard relative thereto. A secondary camming surface islocated adjacent to the another second proximal support column and theanother fourth proximal support column and is located inboard relativethereto.

Example 40

A surgical instrument, comprising an axially movable sled that comprisesfirst and second camming members. The surgical instrument furthercomprises a surgical staple cartridge and at least one distal stapledriver that is movably supported in the surgical staple cartridge. Eachdistal staple driver is configured to operably support two distalsurgical staples thereon and comprises a first distal camming surfacethat is aligned for camming contact with the first camming member. Eachdistal staple driver further comprises a second distal camming surfacethat is aligned for camming contact with the second camming member. Atleast one first intermediate staple driver is movably supported in thesurgical staple cartridge and supports four surgical staples thereon.Each first intermediate staple driver comprises a first camming surfacethat is aligned for camming contact with the first camming member and asecond camming surface that is aligned for camming contact with thesecond camming member. The surgical instrument further comprises atleast one second intermediate staple driver that is slidably supportedin the surgical staple cartridge adjacent at least one of the distalstaple driver and a corresponding one of the first intermediate stapledrivers. Each second intermediate staple driver is configured tooperably support at least five other surgical staples thereon andcomprises a first proximal camming surface that is aligned for cammingcontact with the first camming member. Each of the second intermediatestaple drivers further comprises a second proximal camming surface thatis aligned for camming contact with the second camming member.

Example 41

A surgical staple driver comprising a driver body that is configured tobe slidably supported in a surgical staple cartridge. In at least oneform, the driver body comprises at least two staple support memberswherein each staple support member is configured to operably support acorresponding surgical staple thereon. The driver body further comprisesa first camming surface and a second camming surface that is spaced fromthe first camming surface. The driver body further comprises at leastone aperture that is configured to slidably receive therein acorresponding driver guide formed in the surgical staple cartridge.

Example 42

The surgical staple driver of Example 41, wherein each of the at leastone apertures is located between the first and second camming surfaces.

Example 43

The surgical staple driver of Examples 41 or 42, wherein the driver bodycomprises a distal end and a proximal end and wherein at least one ofthe proximal end and the distal end is configured to slidably engageanother one of the corresponding driver guides.

Example 44

The surgical staple driver of Examples 41, 42, or 43, wherein one of theat least two staple support members supports a corresponding surgicalstaple along a base axis and wherein another one of the staple supportmembers supports another surgical staple along another base axis that isparallel with the base axis.

Example 45

The surgical staple driver of Example 44, wherein the another base axisis transverse to the base axis.

Example 46

The surgical staple driver of Examples 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45, whereinone of the staple support members comprises a proximal support columnthat is configured to support a proximal leg of a corresponding surgicalstaple thereon. The staple support member further comprises a distalsupport column that is configured to support a distal leg of thecorresponding surgical staple thereon. Another one of the staple supportmembers comprises another proximal support column that is configured tosupport another proximal leg of another corresponding surgical staplethereon. The another staple support member further comprises anotherdistal support column that is configured to support another distal legof the another corresponding surgical staple thereon. One of theproximal support column and the distal support column is slidablysupported in a corresponding slot in a wall portion of the surgicalstaple cartridge. One of the another proximal support column and theanother distal support column is slidably supported in anothercorresponding slot in another cartridge wall portion of the surgicalstaple cartridge.

Example 47

The surgical staple driver of Example 46, wherein the surgical staplecartridge defines a cartridge axis and wherein the corresponding slotand the another corresponding slot are each transverse to the cartridgeaxis.

Example 48

The surgical staple driver of Example 47, wherein the correspondingdriver guide is centrally disposed between the cartridge wall portionand the another cartridge wall portion.

Example 49

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising a cartridge body that defines acartridge axis and comprises a first cartridge wall and a secondcartridge wall spaced from the first cartridge wall. The cartridge bodyfurther comprises at least two upstanding driver guides that are locatedbetween the first cartridge wall and the second cartridge wall. Thesurgical staple cartridge further comprises at least one surgical stapledriver that comprises a driver body that comprises a proximal end thatis configured to slidably engage one of the driver guides and a distalend that is configured to slidably engage another one of the driverguides. The driver body further comprises at least one staple supportmember that is configured to operably support a surgical staple thereon.

Example 50

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 49, wherein the at least onestaple support member comprises a first staple support member that isconfigured to support a first surgical staple thereon and a secondstaple support member that is configured to support a second surgicalstaple thereon. A portion of the first staple support member is slidablysupported in a corresponding slot in the first cartridge wall andanother portion of the second staple support member is slidablysupported in another corresponding slot in the second cartridge wall.

Example 51

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 50, wherein the correspondingslot and the another corresponding slot are each transverse to thecartridge axis.

Example 52

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 49, 50 or 51, wherein thefirst surgical staple comprises a first crown supported on a first baseaxis and wherein the second surgical staple comprises a second crown ona second base axis that is parallel with the first base axis.

Example 53

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 52, wherein the second baseaxis is transverse to the first base axis.

Example 54

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 49, 50, 51 or 52 wherein eachsurgical staple driver further comprises at least one aperture thereinthat is configured to slidably receive a corresponding additional driverguide therein.

Example 55

A surgical instrument, comprising an axially movable sled that comprisesa first camming member that is configured to move along a first cam axisand a second camming member that configured to move along a second camaxis. The surgical instrument further comprises a surgical staplecartridge that comprises a cartridge body that comprises a firstcartridge wall and a second cartridge wall that is spaced from the firstcartridge wall. The cartridge body further comprises at least twoupstanding staple guides that are located between the first cartridgewall and the second cartridge wall. The surgical instrument furthercomprises at least one surgical staple driver that comprises a driverbody that comprises a proximal end that is configured to slidably engageone of the driver guides and a distal end that is configured to slidablyengage another one of the driver guides. The surgical staple driverfurther comprises at least one staple support members that is configuredto operably support a surgical staple thereon.

Example 56

The surgical instrument of Examples 55, wherein the driver body furthercomprises a first camming surface that is oriented on one side of eachof the driver guides and is in axial alignment with the first cam axisand a second camming surface that is oriented on another side of each ofthe driver guides and is in axial alignment with the second cam axis.

Example 57

The surgical instrument of Example 55, wherein the driver body furthercomprises at least one aperture therein that is located between thefirst and second camming surfaces and is configured to slidably receivea corresponding additional driver guide therein.

Example 58

The surgical instrument of Examples 55, 56 or 57, wherein the at leastone staple support member comprises a first staple support member thatis configured to support a first surgical staple thereon and a secondstaple support member that is configured to support a second surgicalstaple thereon. A portion of the first staple support member is slidablysupported in the first cartridge wall and another portion of the secondstaple support member is slidably supported in the second cartridgewall.

Example 59

The surgical instrument of Examples 55, 56, 57 or 58, wherein thesurgical staple cartridge defines a cartridge axis and wherein thecorresponding slot and the another corresponding slot are eachtransverse to the cartridge axis.

Example 60

The surgical instrument of Example 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 or 59, wherein theat least one staple support member comprises a first staple supportmember that is configured to support a first surgical staple thereon anda second staple support member that is configured to support a secondsurgical staple thereon. A portion of the first staple support member isslidably supported in the first cartridge wall and another portion ofthe second staple support member is slidably supported in the secondcartridge wall.

Example 61

A surgical staple driver that is configured for use with a surgicalstaple cartridge that operably interfaces with a surgical instrumentcamming member that is axially movable along a first cam axis. In atleast one form, the surgical staple driver comprises a driver body thatis slidably supportable within the surgical staple cartridge. A cammingsurface is provided on the driver body and is oriented for cammingengagement with the camming member of the surgical instrument along thefirst cam axis when the driver body is slidably supported in thesurgical staple cartridge. A staple support portion is configured tooperably support at least one surgical staple thereon relative to thecamming surface such that when the camming member engages the cammingsurface, the camming member passes transversely under a portion of astaple crown of at least one of the at least one surgical staples thatis supported on the staple support portion.

Example 62

The surgical staple driver of Example 61, wherein each of the at leastone surgical staples that is supported on the staple supporting portioncomprises a proximal leg that protrudes from the staple crown and adistal leg that protrudes from the staple crown. The staple supportportion also supports the at least one surgical staple thereon relativeto the camming surface such that when the camming member engages thecamming surface, the camming member is not in axial alignment with theproximal and distal legs of any of the surgical staples supported on thestaple support portion.

Example 63

The surgical staple driver of Examples 61 or 62, wherein the staplesupport portion comprises a first staple support portion that isconfigured to operably support a first surgical staple thereon. Thefirst surgical staple comprises a first staple crown. A first distal legprotrudes from an end of the first staple crown and a first proximal legprotrudes from another end of the first staple crown. The first staplesupport portion operably supports the first staple crown along a firstbase axis that is transverse to the first cam axis and comprises a firstproximal support column that is configured to support the first proximalleg of the first surgical staple thereon. The first staple supportportion further comprises a first distal support column that isconfigured to support the first distal leg of the first surgical staplethereon. The camming surface is oriented relative to the first proximalsupport column and the first distal support column such that when thecamming member engages the camming surface, the camming member passesbetween the first proximal support column and the first distal supportcolumn.

Example 64

The surgical staple driver of Example 63, wherein the staple supportportion further comprises a second staple support portion that isconfigured to operably support a second surgical staple thereon. Thesecond surgical staple comprises a second staple crown. A second distalleg protrudes from an end of the second staple crown and a secondproximal leg protrudes from another end of the second staple crown. Thesecond staple support portion comprises a second proximal support columnthat is configured to support the second proximal leg thereon. Thesecond staple support portion further comprises a second distal supportcolumn that is configured to support the second distal leg thereon.

Example 65

The surgical staple driver of Example 64, wherein the second staplesupport portion operably supports the second staple crown along a secondbase axis that is transverse to the first base axis.

Example 66

The surgical staple driver of Example 64, wherein the staple supportportion operably supports the second staple crown along a second baseaxis that is parallel to the first base axis.

Example 67

The surgical staple driver of Examples 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 or 66,wherein the surgical instrument comprises a second axially movablecamming member and wherein said staple support portion further comprisesa second camming surface oriented for camming engagement with the secondaxially moving camming member.

Example 68

The surgical staple driver of Examples 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 or 66,wherein the surgical instrument comprises a second axially movablecamming member and wherein the staple support portion further comprisesa second camming surface that is oriented for camming engagement withthe second axially moving camming member.

Example 69

The surgical staple driver of Example 68, wherein the second cammingsurface is oriented relative to the second staple support portion suchthat when the second camming member engages the second camming surface,the second camming member passes between the second proximal supportcolumn and the second distal support column.

Example 70

The surgical staple driver of Examples 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69,wherein the driver body is slidably supported between a first cartridgewall portion and a second cartridge wall portion and wherein one of thefirst proximal support column and the first distal support column isslidably received in a corresponding wall slot in one of the first andsecond cartridge wall portions.

Example 71

The surgical staple driver of Example 70, wherein the surgical staplecartridge further comprises at least one driver guide and wherein one ofthe first proximal support column and the first distal support column isslidably supported in the corresponding wall slot and the other of thefirst proximal support column and the first distal support column isslidably supported in a corresponding guide slot in the at least onedriver guide.

Example 72

The surgical staple driver of Example 71, wherein the surgical staplecartridge has a cartridge height and wherein the wall slot extends forthe cartridge height and wherein the at least one driver guide has aguide height and wherein the corresponding guide slot has a slot lengththat equals the guide height.

Example 73

The surgical staple driver of Example 72, wherein the cartridge heightand the guide height are equal.

Example 74

The surgical staple driver of Examples 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71,72 or 73, wherein the staple support portion further comprises a thirdstaple support portion that is configured to operably support a thirdsurgical staple thereon. The third surgical staple comprises a thirdstaple crown. A third proximal leg protrudes from an end of the thirdstaple crown. A third proximal leg protrudes from another end of thethird staple crown. The third staple support portion comprises a thirdproximal support column that is configured to support a third proximalleg thereon. The third staple support portion further comprises a thirddistal support column that is configured to support the third distal legthereon.

Example 75

The surgical staple driver of Example 74, wherein the third staplesupport portion further comprises a second camming surface that isoriented relative to the third proximal support column and the thirddistal support column such that when a corresponding portion of thecamming member engages the second camming surface, the correspondingportion of the camming member passes between the third proximal supportcolumn and the third distal support column.

Example 76

The surgical staple driver of Examples 74 or 75, wherein the thirdstaple support portion operably supports the third staple crown along athird base axis that is parallel with the first base axis.

Example 77

The surgical staple driver of Examples 74, 75 or 76, wherein the staplesupport portion further comprises a fourth staple support portion thatis configured to operably support a fourth surgical staple thereon. Thefourth surgical staple comprises a fourth staple crown. A fourth distalleg protrudes from an end of the fourth staple crown. A fourth proximalleg protrudes from another end of the fourth staple crown. The fourthstaple support portion comprises a fourth proximal support column thatis configured to support the fourth proximal leg thereon. The fourthstaple support portion further comprises a fourth distal support columnthat is configured to support the fourth distal leg thereon.

Example 78

The surgical staple driver of Example 77, wherein the fourth staplesupport portion further comprises a second camming surface that isoriented relative to the fourth proximal support column and the fourthdistal support column such that when a corresponding portion of thecamming member engages the second camming surface, the correspondingportion of the camming member passes between the fourth proximal supportcolumn and the fourth distal support column.

Example 79

The surgical staple driver of Examples 77 or 78, wherein the staplesupport portion further comprises a fifth staple support portion that isconfigured to operably support a fifth surgical staple thereon. Thefifth surgical staple comprises a fifth staple crown. A fifth distal legprotrudes from an end of the fifth staple crown. A fifth proximal legprotrudes from another end of the fifth staple crown. The fifth staplesupport portion comprises a fifth proximal support column that isconfigured to support the fifth proximal leg thereon. The fifth staplesupport portion further comprises a fifth distal support column that isconfigured to support the fifth distal leg thereon.

Example 80

The surgical staple driver of Example 79, wherein the fifth staplesupport portion further comprises a second camming surface that isoriented relative to the fifth proximal support column and the fifthdistal support column such that when a corresponding portion of thecamming member engages the second camming surface, the correspondingportion of the camming member passes between the fifth proximal supportcolumn and the fifth distal support column.

Example 81

A surgical staple driver comprising a driver body that is configured tobe slidably supported in a surgical staple cartridge. A staple supportportion is configured to operably support a surgical staple thereon. Thesurgical staple comprises a staple crown. A proximal leg protrudes froman end of the staple crown and a distal leg protrudes from another endof the staple crown. The staple support portion comprises a proximalsupport column that is configured to support the proximal leg thereon.The staple support portion further comprises a distal support columnthat is configured to support the distal leg thereon. The driver bodyfurther comprises at least one camming surface that extends along a camaxis that extends transversely between the proximal and distal supportcolumns.

Example 82

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising a cartridge body that comprisesa first cartridge wall portion and a second cartridge wall portion. Thesurgical staple cartridge further comprises at least one staple driverthat is slidably supported between the first cartridge wall portion andthe second cartridge wall portion. The at least one staple drivercomprises a driver body that is configured to operably support at leastone surgical staple thereon. The surgical staple comprises a staplecrown. A proximal leg protrudes from one end of the staple crown. Adistal leg protrudes from another end of the staple crown. The driverbody comprises a proximal support column that is configured to supportthe proximal leg thereon. The driver body further comprises a distalsupport column that is configured to support the distal leg thereon. Atleast one of the proximal and distal support columns is slidablysupported in one of the first and second cartridge wall portions. Thedriver body further comprises at least one camming surface that extendsalong a cam axis that extends transversely between the proximal anddistal support columns.

Example 83

A surgical staple driver array for operable use in a surgical staplecartridge. In at least one form, the surgical staple driver arraycomprises a plurality of first staple drivers that are each configuredto be slidably supported in the surgical staple cartridge. Each firststaple driver is further configured to operably support at least twofirst surgical staples thereon that are parallel to each other. Thesurgical staple driver array further comprises at least one secondstaple driver that is configured to be slidably supported in thesurgical staple cartridge. Each second staple driver support isconfigured to support a single, second surgical staple thereon. Thesecond surgical staple extends in a second direction that is transverseto each of the first surgical staples supported on the at least oneadjacent corresponding first staple driver. The first and second stapledrivers are oriented in a line in the surgical staple cartridge suchthat one of the first staple drivers is located on each axial side ofeach second staple driver.

Example 84

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 83, wherein each of thefirst surgical staples comprises a first crown and wherein the firstcrown of one of the first surgical staples that is supported on one ofthe first staple drivers is aligned on a first base axis and whereinanother crown of another of the first surgical staples that is supportedon the first staple driver is aligned on a second base axis that isparallel to the first base axis. Each of the second staples comprises asecond crown that is aligned on a third base axis that is transverse tothe first and second base axes.

Example 85

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 83 or 84, wherein one ofthe plurality of first staple drivers comprises a distal most firststaple driver in the staple driver array and another one of the firststaple drivers comprises a proximal most first staple driver in thestaple driver array.

Example 86

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 83, 84 or 85, wherein eachof the first staple drivers comprises a first camming surface and asecond camming surface that is spaced from the first camming surface.

Example 87

The surgical staple driver array of Example 86, wherein each secondstaple driver comprises a primary camming surface and a secondarycamming surface that is spaced from the primary camming surface. Thefirst camming surface and the primary camming surface are aligned on afirst camming axis and the second camming surface and the secondarycamming surface are aligned on a second camming axis.

Example 88

The surgical staple driver array of Example 87, wherein the first andsecond camming axes are transverse to the first and second base axes.

Example 89

The surgical staple driver array of Example 83, wherein the third baseaxis is transverse to the first and second camming axes.

Example 90

The surgical staple driver array of Examples 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 or89, wherein a portion of each first staple driver is configured to beslidably supported in a first wall portion of the surgical staplecartridge and wherein another portion of each first staple driver isconfigured to be slidably supported in a second wall portion of thesurgical staple cartridge.

Example 91

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising a cartridge body that comprisesa proximal and a distal end. A plurality of first staple drivers ismovably supported in the cartridge body. Each first staple driver isconfigured to support two, first surgical staples that are oriented incorresponding first directions. At least one second staple driver isslidably supported in the surgical staple cartridge adjacent to twocorresponding first staple drivers. Each second staple driver supports asingle, second surgical staple thereon. The second surgical stapleextends in a second direction that is transverse to each of thecorresponding first directions. The first and second staple drivers areoriented in a line in the cartridge body such that one first stapledriver is located on each axial side of each second staple driver.

Example 92

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 91, wherein one of the firstsurgical staples that is supported on one of the first staple driverscomprises a first crown that is aligned on a first base axis. Anotherone of the first surgical staples that is supported on the first stapledriver comprises another first crown that is aligned on another firstbase axis. The another first base axis is parallel with the first baseaxis. Each second staple comprises a second crown that is aligned on asecond base axis that is transverse to the first base axis and theanother first base axis.

Example 93

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 91 or 92, wherein the firststaple driver comprises a first staple support member that comprises afirst distal support column that is configured to support a first distalleg of a corresponding first surgical staple thereon. The first staplesupport member further comprises a first proximal support column that isconfigured to support a first proximal leg of the corresponding firstsurgical staple thereon. The first staple driver further comprisesanother first staple support member that comprises another first distalsupport column that is configured to support another first distal leg ofanother corresponding first surgical staple thereon. The another firststaple support member further comprises another first proximal supportcolumn that is configured to support another first proximal leg of theanother corresponding first surgical staple thereon.

Example 94

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 93, wherein each first staplesupport member further comprises a first camming surface that is alignedon a first cam axis that extends transversely between the first distaland first proximal support columns. Each first staple support memberfurther comprises a second camming surface that is aligned on a secondcam axis that extends transversely between the another first distal andthe another first proximal support columns.

Example 95

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 93 or 94, wherein at least onesecond staple driver comprises a second staple support member thatcomprises a second distal support column that is configured to support asecond distal leg of a corresponding second surgical staple thereon. Thesecond staple support member further comprises a second proximal supportcolumn that is configured to support a second proximal leg of thecorresponding second surgical staple thereon.

Example 96

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 95, wherein each second staplesupport member further comprises a primary first camming surface that isadjacent to the second proximal support column and is aligned on thefirst cam axis. The second staple support member further comprises asecondary camming surface that is adjacent to the second distal supportcolumn and is aligned on the second cam axis.

Example 97

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 93, 94, 95 or 96, wherein thefirst distal support column is slidably supported in a correspondingfirst slot in a first wall portion of the cartridge body and wherein theanother first proximal support column is slidably supported in acorresponding second slot in a second wall portion of the cartridgebody.

Example 98

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 93, 94, 95, 96 or 97, whereineach first staple driver further comprises a first camming surface thatis aligned on a first cam axis that extends transversely between thefirst distal and first proximal support columns. Each first stapledriver further comprises a second camming surface that is aligned on asecond cam axis that extends transversely between the another firstdistal support column and the another first proximal support column.

Example 99

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 97, wherein the cartridge bodydefines a cartridge axis and wherein the first slot lies along a firstslot axis that is transverse to the cartridge axis and wherein thesecond slot lies along a second axis that is transverse to the cartridgeaxis.

Example 100

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 98, wherein each second stapledriver further comprises a primary camming surface aligned on the firstcam axis and a secondary camming surface aligned on the second cam axis.

Example 101

A surgical instrument, comprising an axially movable sled that comprisesfirst and second camming members. The surgical instrument furthercomprises a surgical staple cartridge and a plurality of first stapledrivers that is movably supported in the surgical staple cartridge. Eachfirst staple driver is configured to support two, first surgical staplesthat are oriented in corresponding first directions. Each first stapledriver comprises a first camming surface that is aligned for cammingcontact with the first camming member and a second camming surface thatis aligned for camming contact with the second camming member. Thesurgical instrument further comprises a plurality of second stapledrivers that is slidably supported in the surgical staple cartridgeadjacent to at least one corresponding first staple driver. Each secondstaple driver supports a single, second surgical staple thereon. Thesecond surgical staple extends in a second direction that is transverseto each of the corresponding first directions. Each second staple drivercomprises a primary camming surface that is aligned for camming contactwith the first camming member and a secondary camming surface that isaligned for camming contact with the second camming member.

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U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,072,535;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012;now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263551;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263552;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM,filed Jan. 31, 2006; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Although the various embodiments of the devices have been describedherein in connection with certain disclosed embodiments, manymodifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented.Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, othermaterials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, asingle component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiplecomponents may be replaced by a single component, to perform a givenfunction or functions. The foregoing description and following claimsare intended to cover all such modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps ofdisassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement ofparticular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the devicecan be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts ofthe device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination.Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can bereassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, orby a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device canutilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement,and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioneddevice, are all within the scope of the present application.

By way of example only, aspects described herein may be processed beforesurgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and whennecessary cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In onesterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealedcontainer, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrumentmay then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate thecontainer, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons.The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container.The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container.The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is openedin a medical facility. A device also may be sterilized using any othertechnique known in the art, including but not limited to beta or gammaradiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, or steam.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical staple driver, comprising a driverbody configured to be slidably supported in a surgical staple cartridge,said driver body comprising: at least two staple support members, eachsaid staple support member configured to operably support acorresponding surgical staple thereon; a first camming surface; a secondcamming surface spaced from said first camming surface; and at least oneaperture in said driver body configured to slidably receive therein acorresponding driver guide formed in the surgical staple cartridge. 2.The surgical staple driver of claim 1, wherein each of said at least oneapertures is located between said first and second camming surfaces. 3.The surgical staple driver of claim 1, wherein said driver bodycomprises a distal end and a proximal end and wherein at least one ofsaid proximal end and said distal end is configured to slidably engageanother one of said corresponding driver guides.
 4. The surgical stapledriver of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two said staple supportmembers supports a corresponding surgical staple along a base axis andwherein another one of said staple support members supports anothersurgical staple along another base axis that is parallel with said baseaxis.
 5. The surgical staple driver of claim 4, wherein said anotherbase axis is transverse to said base axis.
 6. The surgical staple driverof claim 1, wherein one of said staple support members comprises: aproximal support column configured to support a proximal leg of acorresponding surgical staple thereon; and a distal support columnconfigured to support a distal leg of the corresponding surgical staplethereon and wherein another one of said staple support memberscomprises: another proximal support column configured to support anotherproximal leg of another corresponding surgical staple thereon; andanother distal support column configured to support another distal legof the another corresponding surgical staple thereon and wherein one ofsaid proximal support column and said distal support column is slidablysupported in a corresponding slot in a cartridge wall portion of thesurgical staple cartridge and wherein one of said another proximalsupport column and said another distal support column is slidablysupported in another corresponding slot in another cartridge wallportion of the surgical staple cartridge.
 7. The surgical staple driverof claim 6, wherein the surgical staple cartridge defines a cartridgeaxis and wherein said corresponding slot and said another correspondingslot are each transverse to the cartridge axis.
 8. The surgical stapledriver of claim 7, wherein the corresponding driver guide is centrallydisposed between the cartridge wall portion and the another cartridgewall portion.
 9. A surgical staple cartridge, comprising: a cartridgebody defining a cartridge axis and comprising a first cartridge wall anda second cartridge wall spaced from said first cartridge wall, saidcartridge body further comprising at least two upstanding driver guideslocated between said first cartridge wall and said second cartridgewall; at least one surgical staple driver, comprising: a driver bodycomprising a proximal end configured to slidably engage one of saiddriver guides and a distal end configured to slidably engage another oneof said driver guides; and at least one staple support member configuredto operably support a surgical staple thereon.
 10. The surgical staplecartridge of claim 9, wherein said at least one staple support membercomprises: a first staple support member configured to support a firstsurgical staple thereon; and a second staple support member configuredto support a second surgical staple thereon and wherein a portion ofsaid first staple support member is slidably supported in acorresponding slot in said first cartridge wall and wherein anotherportion of said second staple support member is slidably supported inanother corresponding slot in said second cartridge wall.
 11. Thesurgical staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said corresponding slotand said another corresponding slot are each transverse to the cartridgeaxis.
 12. The surgical staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein the firstsurgical staple comprises a first crown supported on a first base axisand wherein the second surgical staple comprises a second crown on asecond base axis that is parallel with said first base axis.
 13. Thesurgical staple cartridge of claim 12, wherein said second base axis istransverse to said first base axis.
 14. The surgical staple cartridge ofclaim 9, wherein each said surgical staple driver further comprises atleast one aperture therein configured to slidably receive acorresponding additional driver guide therein.
 15. A surgicalinstrument, comprising: an axially movable sled, comprising: a firstcamming member configured to move along a first cam axis; and a secondcamming member configured to move along a second cam axis and whereinsaid surgical instrument further comprises: a surgical staple cartridge,comprising: a cartridge body comprising a first cartridge wall and asecond cartridge wall spaced from said first cartridge wall, saidcartridge body further comprising at least two upstanding staple guideslocated between said first cartridge wall and said second cartridgewall; at least one surgical staple driver, comprising: a driver bodycomprising a proximal end configured to slidably engage one of saiddriver guides and a distal end configured to slidably engage another oneof said driver guides; and at least one staple support member configuredto operably support a surgical staple thereon.
 16. The surgicalinstrument of claim 15, wherein said driver body further comprises: afirst camming surface oriented on one side of each of said driver guidesand in axial alignment with said first cam axis; and a second cammingsurface oriented on another side of each of said driver guides and inaxial alignment with said second cam axis.
 17. The surgical instrumentof claim 16, wherein said driver body further comprises at least oneaperture therein located between said first and second camming surfacesand being configured to slidably receive a corresponding additionaldriver guide therein.
 18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, whereinsaid at least one staple support member comprises: a first staplesupport member configured to support a first surgical staple thereon;and a second staple support member configured to support a secondsurgical staple thereon and wherein a portion of said first staplesupport member is slidably supported in a corresponding slot in saidfirst cartridge wall and wherein another portion of said second staplesupport member is slidably supported in another corresponding slot insaid second cartridge wall.
 19. The surgical instrument of claim 18,wherein the surgical staple cartridge defines a cartridge axis andwherein said corresponding slot and said another corresponding slot areeach transverse to the cartridge axis.
 20. The surgical instrument ofclaim 14, wherein said at least one staple support member comprises: afirst staple support member configured to support a first surgicalstaple thereon; and a second staple support member configured to supporta second surgical staple thereon and wherein a portion of said firststaple support member is slidably supported in said first cartridge walland wherein another portion of said second staple support member isslidably supported in said second cartridge wall.